US Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate market firmed to $385-$400/st FOB for limited new business, up from the prior $375-$385/st FOB range. Very tight supply continued to be reported, with IOC’s plant in Pasadena, Texas, experiencing some “unplanned downtime,” according to a company source.
Loaded barge offers were reported as high as $416-$420/st FOB during the week, but no new business was confirmed at those levels.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate prices remained at $410-$440/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at Ottawa, Ill., and the high out of inland warehouses in Ohio. The Cincinnati market reportedly firmed to $415-$420/st FOB, up from $410/st FOB last week. AdvanSix raised prices by a reported $15-$20/st in all regions and for all grades.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was unchanged at $400-$430/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis. In the Southern Plains, the latest Houston, Texas, offers were quoted firmly at the $400/st FOB level, up from the prior $375/st FOB.
Northern Plains:
Sources reported the latest granular ammonium sulfate prices in the Northern Plains at $415-$430/st FOB St. Paul and $450-$470/st DEL, up from $400-$425/st FOB and $395-$450/st DEL in late March. Supply was described as “very limited” in mid-April, however.
Great Lakes:
Ammonium sulfate was reported at $420-$450/st FOB terminals in the Great Lakes region, with delivered pricing at the $438/st level in central Michigan.
Northeast:
The granular ammonium sulfate market remained at $400-$420/st FOB and $395-$415/st DEL in the Northeast.
Eastern Canada:
The latest ammonium sulfate offers widened to C$570-$675/mt FOB in Eastern Canada, compared with the previous C$580-$640/mt FOB range.
China:
Caprolactam grade amsul prices moved up to $120-$128/mt FOB during the week due to several factors, players said.
First, a number of production facilities on routine maintenance turnarounds were reported to have sufficient reserves to cover contract sales, but not spot deals. At the same time, sources said the potential shift in China’s urea export policy could translate to increased demand for amsul as a substitute for urea.
South Korea:
While South Korea’s amsul exports are typically too small to move the international market, they are often large enough to illuminate market trends. Trade Data Monitor noted January-March exports at 192 mt, however, a significant decline from the 47,000 mt recorded through the same period of 2023. March exports were limited to 7 mt, against 324 mt in March 2023.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate imports moved up 4.2%, to $153-$165/mt CFR from last week’s $150-$155/mt CFR, with players citing firming demand and higher prices from originating markets.
Prices lifted to $270/mt FOB Rondonópolis, even with the top of last week’s $260-$270/mt FOB range. In addition to demand for cotton planting, sources reported forward business for the corn safrinha during the week.