US Gulf:
The ammonium sulfate barge market was steady at the $220/st FOB NOLA level for the last confirmed business. Offers continued to be discussed at $230-$240/st FOB, but no new sales were reported during the trading week.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate pricing was steady at $290-$310/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was quoted at $270-$300/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low at St. Louis and the high in Iowa.
California:
Ammonium sulfate in California dropped to $320-$330/st FOB and $350/st DEL for the latest offers, down from previous pricing in the low- to mid-$400s/st.
Pacific Northwest:
The ammonium sulfate market tightened to $280-$300/st FOB or DEL in the Pacific Northwest.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate pricing in Western Canada edged up to C$430-$475/mt DEL for the latest offers, well above the prior C$355-$440/mt DEL level.
China:
While some traders said there might be some business happening in the $180s/mt FOB, producers and others quoted the market in the $160s/mt FOB for caprolactam grade amsul. Some producers reported offering tons at $170/mt FOB without any nibbles.
Traders pointed to the softer urea market as one reason for the decline in amsul prices. Blenders looking for nitrogen content are more willing to accept urea than amsul. The ease of shipping large quantities of urea over amsul is also a selling point, aside from the falling price.
Brazil:
Landed ammonium sulfate prices retreated 5.5% from last week, to $205-$215/mt CFR. Based on the nitrogen content, urea is currently trading at an approximate 15% discount to amsul, sources noted. Pricing at Rondonopolis mirrored the softer international nitrogen markets, falling to $320-$330/mt FOB ex-warehouse, down from $345-$350/mt FOB at last report.