US Gulf:
NOLA ammonium sulfate barges were reported at $245-$255/st FOB for the last confirmed trades, down from last week’ $255-$275/st FOB range.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was pegged at $320-$325/st FOB terminals in the Eastern Cornbelt and $325-$330/st FOB Michigan terminals, based on July 12 reference prices from AdvanSix. Mid-grade reference prices from the company included $295/st FOB Byron, Ill., and Tolono, Ill.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was quoted at $325-$330/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt at mid-month.
Southern Plains:
Granular ammonium sulfate was reported in a broad range at $360-$410/st FOB in the Southern Plains, with the low reported at Houston, Texas, and the high at Catoosa/Inola.
South Central:
The latest granular ammonium sulfate prices in the South Central region dipped to $300-$340/st FOB, well below the broad $320-$395/st FOB range reported for prompt tons in late June.
Southeast:
Ammonium sulfate reference prices at Hopewell, Va., remained at $375/st FOB for granular, $355/st FOB for mid-grade, and $335/st FOB for standard, though sources said they expect a fill program in the near-term. Some other locations were showing considerably lower values in mid-July, including a reported $250/st FOB terminal price in Alabama.
Northwest Europe:
The standard ammonium sulfate market in Northwest Europe was stable this week, with an uptick in recent sales supporting the existing $160-$170/mt FOB price range.
China:
The price of caprolactam grade amsul has firmed to $140-$145/mt FOB, according to reports. The slight strengthening was said to result from a combination of steady international demand and firm domestic interest from NPK producers seeking a substitute for urea.
South Korea:
While never a market mover, South Korean exports have historically illuminated trends in the regional market. Amsul exports totaled 43,000 mt in the first half of the year, according to Trade Data Monitor,down from the 84,000 mt shipped in January-June 2023. Sources attributed the reduced exports to lower domestic production combined with an increase in domestic demand.
June exports were 18,000 mt, up from 15,000 mt in June 2023. South Korea sent 43,000 mt offshore in the second quarter, up from the 38,000 mt shipped in April-June 2023.
Brazil:
Granular ammonium sulfate prices fell to $170-$180/mt CFR in Brazil. Amsul is priced at a premium to urea on a nitrogen-point basis, players said, making it less attractive to buyers.
Prices fell $5/mt at the top of the range at Rondonópolis, to $300-$320/mt FOB. While amsul imports fell in June, July lineups show a year-over-year increase of almost 30%. International pressure on China could drive a price increase in the short term, however.