US Gulf:
After a recent rally in prices, NOLA ammonium sulfate barges slipped a bit, falling to $400-$405/st FOB from the week-ago $405-$415/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was steady at $460-$480/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location. Most Cincinnati offers were pegged in the $465-$480/st FOB range at midweek.
Western Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate pricing remained at $450-$480/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis.
California:
The granular ammonium sulfate market in California remained at the $525/st FOB level in early September, with reports of limited rail-DEL tons also offered at that price on a spot basis.
Pacific Northwest:
Ammonium sulfate pricing remained at $400-$470/st FOB in the Pacific Northwest, with the low reflecting standard grade and the high granular. Delivered pricing was pegged at $400/st for standard and $445-$475/st for granular, depending on supplier and location.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate prices in Western Canada jumped to a broad C$635-$735/mt DEL for fall tons, up the last reported C$570-$685/mt DEL range. “Supplies are tight and movement is steady,” commented one regional source.
China:
Stronger demand from Europe has caused some traders to focus their attention there. Sources reported the stepped-up demand for Chinese amsul is pushing pricing activity to the upper end of the current range, with greater possibilities of further increases in the near future.
Brazil:
Prices moved up as some buyers look to amsul as a substitute for urea. Sources put the price at $310-$330/mt CFR. International traders reported that some offers have been made as high as $380/mt CFR, but no deals were confirmed at that level.
Buyers also have a growing concern that new European interest in Chinese amsul could move up prices as Brazil and Europe compete for the same limited Chinese product.
Rondonopolis pricing is now reported at $420-$440/mt FOB ex-warehouse as blenders become more aggressive in their efforts to secure a substitute for the more expensive urea.
Imports for January-August 2022 were reported at 2.6 million mt by Trade Data Monitor, up 17% from the 2.2 million mt brought in during the same period in 2021. China dominated the market, sending 2.2 million mt during the first eight months of this year.
August 2022 imports were reported at 193,000 mt, down 35% from the 298,000 mt imported in August 2021. China sent 262,000 mt for 72% of the import market, the US sent 31,000 mt for 16%, and Belgium sent 23,000 mt for a 12% share.