U.S. Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate barge market renewed its downward trend after a holiday lull. New business was pegged in the $610-$630/st FOB range, down from the earlier $630-$665/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate prices reportedly dropped to $635-$675/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, down significantly from the last reported range of $675-$705/st FOB, with the low confirmed in Cincinnati at midweek.
In the Great Lakes region, the last ammonium sulfate offers at Toledo were confirmed at the $715-$725/st FOB level.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $640-$675/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, down from $675-$690/st FOB at last report.
Northern Plains:
The granular ammonium sulfate market dropped to $675-$705/st FOB and $690-$720/st DEL in the Northern Plains.
Southern Plains:
NeuAG LLC on June 1 announced expanded availability of spray-grade ammonium sulfate at Levelland, Texas. The new source location is priced at $715/st FOB for 51 pound bags. Pricing for spray-grade ammonium sulfate at Clute, Texas, is $750/st FOB for 51 pound bags and $650/st FOB for bulk product.
Northeast:
Ammonium sulfate prices were quoted at $690-$700/st FOB and $695-$745/st DEL in the Northeast, depending on location, down from the last reported range of $725-$775/st DEL. “I don’t think spring is over,” commented one source. “A lot of topdress still to go on.”
Eastern Canada:
The ammonium sulfate market in Eastern Canada was quoted at C$1,035-$1,075/mt FOB in early June, down just slightly at the low end of the range.
China:
Reduced demand in Southeast Asia and softer urea prices have pressured Chinese export prices. Sources reported standard caprolactam grade amsul is now at $270/mt FOB, with granular going for $300/mt FOB.
The price reduction on the standard material was expected as prices slowly slipped in the past few weeks. Sources said the decline picked up speed after Indonesia scrapped its buying tender. Sources said the move came because the need for amsul as a cheaper alternative to urea is diminishing with falling urea prices.
Indonesia:
Indonesia just recently released the first quarter import numbers. January-March ammonium sulfate imports were reported at 179,000 mt, according to Trade Data Monitor, down about 53% from the 284,000 mt imported during the same period in 2021.
March 2022 imports were reported at 48,000 mt, compared to 82,000 mt imported during March 2021. China dominated the March market with 53,000 mt.
Brazil:
Prices have come off, as they have in Asia. Sources now report the price at $350-$400/mt CFR for granular amsul.
Rondonópolis prices also showed the lack of interest in amsul, with levels dropping to $490-$560/mt FOB ex-warehouse. The reason for the decline in Brazil is the same as elsewhere, with falling urea prices making amsul less attractive as a substitute.
Thailand:
January-April imports of amsul were reported at 111,000 mt, according to Trade Data Monitor, down slightly from the 123,000 mt imported during the same period in 2021.
April 2022 imports were reported at 67,000 mt, up slightly from the 64,000 mt imported in April 2021. China supplied the bulk of the tonnage at 53,000 mt.
Turkey:
Imports for January-April 2022 were reported at 575,000 mt by Trade Data Monitor. This is a 51% increase from the 380,000 mt imported during the same period in 2021. The bulk of the purchases during this period were at a time when urea prices were rising, making amsul a viable alternative.
April 2022 imports were reported at 65,000 mt, down 43% from 115,000 mt in April 2021. China and Belgium almost split the orders, at 32,000 mt and 30,000 mt, respectively.