US Gulf:
NOLA ammonium sulfate barges were reported at $280/st FOB for the latest indications, reflecting the high end of last week’s $270-$280/st FOB range.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was pegged at $325-$350/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the upper end confirmed at Cincinnati.
Western Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate widened to $325-$370/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, depending on location. Most locations were reported at $345/st FOB or higher in early August.
Southern Plains:
Granular ammonium sulfate remained in a broad range at $345-$410/st FOB in the Southern Plains, with the low reported at Houston and the high at Catoosa/Inola from some suppliers.
PCI Nitrogen’s production facility at Pasadena, Texas, reportedly restarted early in the week after shutting down on July 8 ahead of Hurricane Beryl (GM July 12, p. 1). The facility was not yet up to full production rates on Aug. 8, however.
South Central:
The latest granular ammonium sulfate prices in the South Central region edged up to $335-$375/st FOB, with the low reported at Memphis and the high in Arkansas.
Southeast:
AdvanSix launched a summer fill program for ammonium sulfate in the eastern US. Posted prices FOB Hopewell, Va., for orders placed on Aug. 5-8 and pulled by Oct. 31 included granular at $295/st FOB, mid-grade at $275/st FOB, and standard at $255/st FOB. Prices were slated to go up $20/st on Aug. 9.
Northwest Europe:
Sources reported small ammonium sulfate sales at range-bound levels in Northwest Europe this week. Producers are reportedly committed through the summer, but demand is muted, resulting in a balanced market and flat prices at $160-$170/mt FOB.
China:
The price of caprolactam grade amsul at China widened this week on both softer nitrogen prices and tightening supply. Sources now put the export price at $135-$145/mt FOB.
Producers are reportedly sold out for the rest of August, with some fully committed into mid-September. Bulk buyers reported difficulty not only getting enough amsul to cover their needs, but also procuring other related commodities such as MAP to properly fill a combination order for a larger vessel.
Brazil:
Granular ammonium sulfate moved up slightly in Brazil, to $170-$178/mt CFR from last week’s $170-$175/mt. Citing increased raw material costs from China, some sellers are pushing for firmer prices in the next round of business.
Despite international pressure, the domestic market remained stable at $290-$300/mt FOB Rondonópolis. NPK 20-00-20 demand for the second corn crop remained high, with pricing quoted at $390/mt FOB.
Ammonium sulfate imports fell 6% in January-July, according to Trade Data Monitor, to 1.7 million mt from the year-ago 1.8 million mt. While tons from China – representing 96% of Brazil’s total amsul imports – showed a 1% year-over-year increase, receipts were down from other sources. July imports firmed 16% to nearly 310,000 mt, with 98% of the tonnage shipping from China.