US Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate barge market continued to be reported in the $400-$405/st FOB range for the latest offers, though no new barge sales were confirmed during the week.
US Imports:
March ammonium sulfate imports were 188,687 st, a 144.9% increase on the year-ago 77,049 st. July-March volumes totaled 909,211 st, up 75.4% from 518,296 st in the prior year. Imports from Canada were noted at 392,918 st for July-March, ahead of 176,733 st from Belgium. Germany moved into third place with 92,736 st, beating 89,936 st to Russia.
US Exports:
Ammonium sulfate exports softened 12.6% in July-March, to 526,440 st from the year-ago 602,510 st. March shipments were 67,520 st, however, up 103.1% from 33,237 st in the previous March. Exports to Peru totaled 161,999 st in July-March, followed by Canada with 70,133 st. Mexico took 57,064 st, ahead of Brazil’s 40,743 st.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate slipped to $415-$435/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at spot Illinois River locations and the high out of inland warehouses. The Cincinnati market was pegged at $430-$435/st FOB during the week.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market dropped to $405-$430/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, below last week’s $420-$440/st FOB, with the low confirmed at St. Louis and the high in Iowa.
Northern Plains:
Sources reported the latest granular ammonium sulfate offers in the Northern Plains at $415-$430/st FOB St. Paul and $460-$480/st DEL in North Dakota. Reference prices at some North Dakota terminals were also reported at the $470-$480/st FOB level in early May.
Northeast:
The granular ammonium sulfate market strengthened to $420-$430/st FOB and $415-$425/st DEL in the Northeast, up from $400-$420/st FOB and $395-$415/st DEL in mid-April.
Eastern Canada:
The ammonium sulfate market continued to be reported in a wide C$570-$675/mt FOB range in Eastern Canada, depending on location and supplier.
China:
The price for caprolactam grade amsul in China was steady at $120-$125/mt FOB. The usual game of producers arguing for the higher end of the range and buyers claiming the low end continues to play out, sources said. Domestic demand for amsul and steady demand from Southeast Asian buyers are keeping pace with supply, sources said.
Pakistan:
Trading Corporation of Pakistan Ltd. (TCP) is looking to secure 6,000 mt of caprolactam grade amsul as part of a larger deal involving DAP from China. While the price for the DAP portion of the transaction has been circulating at a reported $532/mt CFR, no price has been heard for the amsul.
Philippines:
Atlas is seeking 6,000 mt of caprolactam grade amsul as part of deal including 6,000 mt each of prilled and granular urea. The tender closes on May 14 with a shipping deadline of June 15. An earlier tender for 8,000 mt was reportedly scrapped after offers in the high-$140s/mt CFR were deemed too expensive.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate imports in Brazil continued at the week-ago $160-$170/mt CFR level. While urea has declined 18.2% in the last eight weeks, ammonium sulfate has moved just 1.3% lower. Prices fell to $270/mt FOB at Rondonópolis, losing $20/mt from last week. Offers were reported at $300-$310/mt FOB for delivery in the third quarter.
Brazil imported 1.1 million mt of amsul in January-April, Trade Data Monitor reported, a 5% rise from the 1.02 million mt received during the first four months of 2023. China continued to dominate the import slate with 1 million mt. April imports were 259,000 mt, up 6% from 244,000 mt in April 2023.