All posts by mickeybarb@charter.net

Ammonia

Ammonia, California, China, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Northwestern Europe, Pacific N.W., South Korea, Tampa, U.S. Exports, U.S. Gulf, U.S. Imports, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

US Gulf/Tampa:

The industry awaits word on the Tampa ammonia price for January, and whether downward momentum for the December price will continue into the new year. December was $1,030/mt CFR, off $120/mt CFR from November’s $1,150/mt CFR.

US Imports:

October ammonia imports totaled 131,732 st, according to US Census Bureau data, off 42.7 from the year-ago 229,777 st. July-October volumes were counted at 775,343 st, a 9.5% decrease from the year-ago 856,442 st.

US Exports:

October ammonia exports moved up 64.3%, to 63,646 st from the prior-year 38,744 st. July-October exports firmed 176.9%, to 482,768 st from the previous 174,370 st.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Ammonia prepay prices remained at $1,095-$1,110/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low at Lima, Ohio, and the high at Wood River, Ill. Most Illinois and Indiana terminals were at the $1,100/st FOB level for prepay ammonia.

Some sources said the prepay programs were seeing only a small amount of business, however. “Until they see some dollars from the farmer, no one is too eager to commit to spring tons at this point,” said one regional contact.

Western Cornbelt:

Spring prepay offers for ammonia remained in the $1,050-$1,100/st FOB range in the region, with the low in Nebraska and the high at Palmyra, Mo. Iowa terminals were reported in the $1,060-$1,070/st FOB range, while prepay offers in the Northern Plains included $1,160/st FOB Glenwood, Minn., Velva, N.D., and Grand Forks, N.D., and $1,110/st FOB Murdock, Minn.

Prepay ammonia pricing in the Southern Plains was steady at $950/st FOB Verdigris, Okla., $900/st FOB Pryor, Okla., and $850/st FOB Woodward, Okla.

California:

Anhydrous ammonia postings in California remained at $1,250/st DEL. The aqua ammonia market firmed to $326-$336/st FOB, with the low reported at Stockton and the high at Sycamore.

Pacific Northwest:

New pricing for ammonia was reported at $1,000/st DEL and $950/st FOB Washington terminals, well below the last $1,335-$1,350/st FOB and $1,350/st DEL prompt offers. Aqua ammonia pricing plunged to $275/st FOB in the region, down from $345/st FOB.

Western Canada:

Spring prepay pricing for anhydrous ammonia was pegged in a broad C$1,475-$1,725/mt DEL range in the region, depending on location and supplier, up from the last fill pricing offers in the C$1,350-$1,595/mt DEL range. Prepay ammonia in Saskatchewan was quoted at the C$1,640/mt DEL level at midweek.

Northwest Europe:

Market players have shown limited interest in making new deals during the year-end period. As a result, the price remained at $1,050/mt CFR.

Changes may come in the new year, however, following the announcement by the European Union that it is removing all duties on imported ammonia and urea. Sources said they were unsure how it will all play out, but seemed to be anticipating more imports.

One trader noted the move could lead to the price being set by Trinidad and Tobago, which has already enjoyed duty-free entry to the EU. Other suppliers, such as those from the Arab Gulf, will no longer face duties as high as 6%. The change could provide those producers a better netback because they will no longer have to compensate for the import tax.

The steady growth in natural gas prices in Europe has led more ammonia producers to cut back or stop production. The resulting loss of domestic ammonia has created a stronger market for imports.

South Korea:

Ammonia imports for January-November were reported at 1.19 million mt by Trade Data Monitor, a5% drop from 1.25 million mt imported during the same period in 2021. The market’s main suppliers were Saudi Arabia with 524,000 mt, followed by Indonesia with 510,000 mt.

November imports were reported at 66,000 mt, down about 25% from 89,000 mt imported in November 2021. Indonesia accounted for 38% the market with 25,000 mt, while Saudi Arabia sold 21,000 mt, representing 32% of the import market. Australia rounded out the top three with 20,000 mt.

China:   

Imports of ammonia continued to fall, while exports picked up. January-November imports were reported at 216,000 mt by Trade Data Monitor, off72% from the year-ago 775,000 mt. Indonesia dominated the imports with 120,000 mt, followed by Saudi Arabia with 55,000 mt.

Exports for January-November showed a steady increase, however, rising to 201,000 mt for period compared to 2,000 mt in the prior year. India took 41% of the exports, receiving 82,000 mt.

November imports were reported at 21,000 mt, down slightly from the 25,000 mt purchased in November 2021. November exports were up dramatically year-over-year, however, rising to 75,000 mt from 129 mt in November 2021. India and Turkey accounted for slightly more than half of purchases, buying 20,000 mt and 19,000 mt, respectively.

Urea

Argentina, Brazil, California, China, Eastern Cornbelt, Europe, India, Market Watch, Middle East, Nepal, Russia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, U.S. Exports, U.S. Gulf, U.S. Imports, Urea, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

US Gulf:

NOLA urea barge prices continued to move down. New business was reported in the $450-$455/st FOB range, compared to the week-ago $445-$475/st FOB.

US Imports:

October urea imports were noted at 197,829 st, down 70.0% from 659,310 st in the prior-year period. July-October totals stood at 770,545 st, falling 53.1% from the year-ago 1.64 million st.

July-October imports from Qatar were pegged at 270,564 st, followed by 144,524 st from Saudi Arabia. Canada sent 122,945 st, ahead of 121,075 st imported from Oman.

US Exports:

Urea exports were up 562.3% in October, to 86,084 st from the year-ago 12,997 st. July-October exports firmed 1,041.3%, to 701,483 st from the year-ago 61,465 st.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Urea prices were steady at $530-$550/st FOB in the region, with the Cincinnati, Ohio, market unchanged at $530-$540/st FOB during the week.

Western Cornbelt:

The urea market was steady $525-$550/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis, Mo., and the high in Iowa on a spot basis. In the Northern Plains, 1Q offers were confirmed at the $640/st DEL level in North Dakota, below the last $670-$690/st DEL prompt business.

California:

The Stockton urea market was pegged at the $700-$710/st FOB level during the week, down $15-$35/st from last report, while rail-DEL offers in Northern California were reported as low as $610/st, below the previous $615-$635/st DEL range.

Pacific Northwest:

Rail-DEL urea offers in the Pacific Northwest were pegged at $625-$635/st, down sharply from the previous $675-$725/st DEL range. The terminal market for urea remained at $640/st FOB Rivergate, Ore., and $645/st FOB Aurora, Ore.

Western Canada:

Western Canada urea pricing fell to C$935-$945/mt FOB and C$940-$970/mt DEL for January-February tons, down from the prior C$965-$1,005/mt DEL range, though spring prepay offers were confirmed as high as C$1,025-$1,045/mt DEL in Saskatchewan.

India:     

Sources said there is a growing sense that the next urea tender may not be called until January. Despite reports of spot shortages in the country, the government has assured the agricultural community that there is plenty of urea in the pipeline to handle the rest of the current season.

Traders noted that if the government decided it needed urea for this season, the call would have to come early next week. Any tender called after that, said one trader, would mean the government wants to focus on building buffer stocks for the next application season.

With prices softening around the world, some traders said it would be to India’s advantage to wait until early- or mid-January to make the call. The lack of any other major buyers at that time – and a steady decline in global urea prices ­– could benefit Indian buyers.

Europe: 

The cancellation of import duties on urea and ammonia by the European Union led to immediate speculation that more suppliers will be looking to move tons into the continent.

Jacob Hansen, Director General of Fertilizers Europe, issued a statement claiming that the move jeopardizes the European industry’s ability to return to normal activity, as the rising cost of natural gas has already forced production to cut back to 30% of rated capacity. Hansen said that making it easier to import cheaper urea could force more plants to cut back further, or close.

Samsung and Ameropa have already been connected to potential sales to European buyers from Southeast Asia, with prices for the deals pegged at $540-$550/mt CFR. There are also reports of vessel inquiries from Nigeria to Spain. Traders said they expect to see more material offered into Europe from Southeast Asia and other nontraditional sources.

The removal of duties will also increase competition against Egypt, which has had a growing influence on the European market. In the latest numbers available, Egypt exported 1.5 million mt of urea to the EU in January-September, compared to 1.6 million mt sent in all of 2021. The EU imported 9 million mt in 2021.

Egypt and other nontraditional sources are replacing Russian material absent from the market due to actions related to the war in Ukraine.

Without the import duty, sources said more tonnage may be offered from Southeast Asia and Africa, where excess supplies are reportedly growing.

Middle East: 

Sources reported at least one cargo sold for January loading at $480/mt FOB, in line with price ideas discussed by traders earlier in December. The new price target for buyers now appears to be in the low-$460s/mt FOB.

Even as buyers are trying to push down prices, sources said few seem willing to commit to a deal. Many appear to be waiting for the Indian tender to be called before committing to a price that might end up being on the high end of the range.

Producers in Egypt are reportedly anxious about the EU decision to remove import duties on urea. Sources said the producers still have plenty of product they need to move in January and February, and had apparently delayed making a commitment to sell until the Indian tender was called and a better assessment of urea supplies could be seen. Now, with the delay in the tender and Europe opening its markets to more suppliers, the Egyptians may face the need to lower their pricing ideas to make a deal.

Sales concluding earlier in December moved the Egyptian price to $565/mt FOB for cargoes shipping to Europe. Now deals into Europe with Southeast Asian urea are being reported at $540-$550/mt CFR, with more to come. The new competition could force the Egyptians to reduce their prices so they can hold on to their customers.

Southeast Asia:     

Exports from Indonesia are not expected to start until January. Sources reported the government and producers are still meeting to determine the export quotas for 2023.

Material from Malaysia and Brunei was reportedly offered into Europe at an estimated $460/mt FOB. The Indonesian equivalent would be about $450/mt FOB.

China:   

Sources reported some small deals to Southeast Asian buyers showing a netback of $470/mt FOB. Even with this news, producers continue to argue for $480-$490/mt FOB.

Even with these few small sales, sources said the market’s main activity is lining up the tons awarded under the previous Indian tender. Traders estimated that 4-5 vessels will be loaded for Indian ports.

Producers are said to be facing some manpower issues following the removal of the zero-COVID-19 policy by Beijing. More workers are reportedly contracting the disease and calling in sick, reducing the available staff needed to operate the plants.

At the same time, COVID-related shortages are also impacting operations at loading docks. Sources said bad weather is combining with COVID to delay loadings.

January-November urea exports were reported at 2.3 million mt by Trade Data Monitor,down 56% from 5.3 million mt exported through the same period of 2021. The market’s primary buyers were India with 944,000 mt, South Korea with 354,000 mt, and Pakistan with 307,000 mt.

Shipments to India and South Korea were down significantly compared to January-November 2021. Shipments to Pakistan, however, were up dramatically from the year-ago 17 mt.

November exports were reported at 373,000 mt, off 25% from 500,000 mt logged in November 2021. India received 198,000 mt, representing 53% of exports.

Nepal:    

A tender for 20,000 mt of bagged urea was called by KSCL to close Feb. 3. The product is to be delivered to the company’s warehouses in Biratnagar, Birgunj, and Bhairahawa.

Russia:   

The government is preparing new export quotas for nitrogen products. Media reports indicated that urea exports for January-May 2023 will be limited to 4.6 million mt. This quota will not be difficult to meet. Trade Data Monitor put the average tonnage exported for the January-May period in 2019-2021 at 2.8 million mt.

Black Sea:

Russian prilled urea out of the Black Sea is pegged at $470-$480/mt FOB. Higher priced material – closer to $500/mt FOB – was last reported out of the far-Eastern ports of the Black Sea.

Brazil:

Prices continue to follow the global markets lower. Sources pegged the landed price at $480-$490/mt CFR, although there continued to be reports of Iranian material being shopped around at $470/mt CFR.

Rondonopolis was reported at $620-$650/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Sources said that the softness in both port and inland prices stemmed from uncertainties as to when India will call its next tender.

South Korea:

Imports of urea for January-November were reported at 812,000 mt by Trade Data Monitor, a marginal increase from the prior-year 790,000 mt. China was the largest supplier with 340,000 mt, followed by Qatar with 183,000 mt and 93,000 mt from Indonesia.

November imports were tagged at 35,000 mt, down slightly from 39,000 mt recorded in November 2021. China was responsible for 74% of the material, sending 26,000 mt.

Argentina:    

Trade Data Monitor reported January-November urea imports at 871,000 mt, off 41% from the year-ago 1.5 million mt. Nigeria shipped 160,000 mt, followed by Bolivia with 138,000 mt. Indonesia and Turkmenistan sent 137,000 mt and 125,000 mt, respectively, compared to zero tons shipped by either country to Argentina in 2021.

November imports were noted at 71,000 mt, down dramatically from 177,000 mt received in November 2021. Indonesia sent 37,000 mt for 52% of the market, while Nigeria’s 15,000 mt accounted for 22% of imports.

UAN

California, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Pacific N.W., U.S. Exports, U.S. Gulf, U.S. Imports, UAN, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

US Gulf:

NOLA UAN barge prices were put at $450-$460/st ($14.06-$14.38/unit) FOB, although players said that most interest in the product will not come until closer to spring. NOLA pricing appears to have moved in reaction to inland prices, which have weakened considerably in recent weeks.

US Imports:

July-October UAN imports were noted at 697,577 st, off 21.6% from the year-ago 889,559 st. October imports were up 21.1%, however, lifting to 246,886 st from the prior-year 203,901 st.

Russia led July-October imports with 472,710 st, ahead of 143,011 st from Canada. Trinidad and Tobago sent 72,576 st.

US Exports:

October UAN exports moved 15,150.0% higher year-over-year, to 369,825 st from 2,425 st. July-October totals were up 290.5%, to 1.04 million st from 266,317 st noted one year earlier.

Eastern Cornbelt:

UAN prices continued to slip in the Eastern Cornbelt. UAN-32 offers for January shipment included $480/st ($15.00/unit) FOB Mount Vernon, Ind., and $495-$500/st ($15.47-$15.63/unit) FOB Cincinnati, down from the previous week’s $505-$520/st FOB. The upper end of the regional market was pegged in the $500-$515/st ($15.63-$16.09/unit) FOB range on a spot basis in Illinois.

Western Cornbelt:

UAN-32 prices in the Western Cornbelt remained under pressure in late December. The low end of the regional market was reported at $485/st ($15.16/unit) FOB St. Louis for January shipments, with the high confirmed at $520-$525/st ($16.25-$16.41/unit) FOB Muscatine, Iowa. Sources quoted the Port Neal, Iowa, market at the $520/st ($16.25/unit) FOB level at midweek.

Delivered UAN-28 offers in North Dakota were reported at $480/st ($17.14/unit) for 1Q tons from Canada, down from the last $580/st DEL prompt business.

California:

New UAN-32 offers at Stockton ranged broadly at $510-$600/st ($15.94-$18.75/unit) FOB, down sharply from the previous $630/st ($19.69/unit) FOB high. Rail-DEL UAN pricing was quoted at the $530-$575/st ($16.56-$17.97/unit) DEL level in Northern California.

“The UAN market is in flux so it’s difficult to pin down, other than it is softer with some rail pressure,” commented one source.

Pacific Northwest:

The UAN-32 market dropped to $535/st ($16.72/unit) FOB Kennewick, Wash., down significantly from the last reported $600/st ($18.75/unit) FOB level. Rail-DEL UAN-32 pricing in the Pacific Northwest was quoted at $535-$545/st ($16.72-$17.03/unit), down from $625-$655/st ($19.53-$20.47/unit) in late November.

Western Canada:

UAN-28 for January-February shipment was reported in the C$620-$645/mt (C$22.14-$23.04/unit) DEL range in Western Canada, down from the prior C$680-$720/mt (C$24.29-$25.71/unit) DEL level for December-January pricing. Spring prepay offers were confirmed at the C$645/mt (C$23.04/unit) DEL level in Saskatchewan.

Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium Nitrate, Market Watch, Russia, U.S. Exports, U.S. Imports, Western Cornbelt

US Imports:

July-October ammonium nitrate imports were up 3.1% year-over-year, to 104,567 st from 101,422 st. October imports stood at 58,502 st, rising 58.2% from the year-ago 36,976 st.

US Exports:

Ammonium nitrate exports for October firmed 133.2%, to 70,196 st from 30,096 st. July-October shipments moved 34.7% higher, to 202,319 st from 150,196 st in the prior year.

Western Cornbelt:

The ammonium nitrate market was steady at $590-$610/st FOB Missouri terminals.

Russia:   

Sources reported that Russia is preparing to limit ammonium nitrate exports once again in 2023. According to media reports, exports of ammonium nitrate for the first quarter will be limited to 225,000 mt, about one-third of Russia’s average 762,000 mt exported during the first quarters of 2019-2021. The April-May quota will be set at 829,000 mt, compared to the three-year average of 530,000 mt.

Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulfate, Brazil, California, China, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Pacific N.W., Russia, South Korea, U.S. Exports, U.S. Gulf, U.S. Imports, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

US Gulf:

Nothing new was reported on the barge market, with last-done business continuing to be put in the $349-$365/st FOB range.

US Imports:

October ammonium sulfate imports firmed 92.0% against the prior year, to 95,227 st from 49,607 st. Imports fell 49,607 st for July-October, however, to 242,185 st from the year-ago 278,761 st.

Imports from Canada stood at 124,854 st for July-October, followed by Belgium at 89,647 st, and 17,141 st from South Korea.

US Exports:

October ammonium sulfate exports were noted at 56,538 st, an 18.7% increase on the year-ago 47,637 st. Exports firmed to 292,593 st for July-October, up 31.3% from the year-ago 222,777 st.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Granular ammonium sulfate pricing remained at $400-$450/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the Cincinnati market quoted at $400-$420/st FOB.

Western Cornbelt:

Granular ammonium sulfate pricing remained in a broad range at $420-$480/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis and the high in Iowa.

California:

The ammonium sulfate market was steady at $500-$525/st FOB in California, depending on grade and location, with the high confirmed at Lathrop, Woodland, and Richvale. Rail-DEL pricing for granular tons in Northern California was pegged in the $460-$465/st range in late December.

Pacific Northwest:

The ammonium sulfate market remained at $430-$470/st FOB and $430-$475/st DEL in the region, depending on grade, location, and supplier, with the low confirmed for standard and the high for granular product.

Western Canada:

Ammonium sulfate pricing in Western Canada dropped to C$600-$615/mt DEL for December-January business, down from C$650-$690/mt DEL for prompt tons at last report. “Shipping is steady and there are outages in Saskatchewan and Manitoba because of rail and truck issues,” commented one source.

China:   

Sources said that sales to regional buyers are holding the price level in the low-$170s/mt FOB for caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate. Traders noted one sale priced in RMB that showed an equivalent value in the mid-$160s/mt FOB. This sale was not seen as part of the regular market, however.

January-November exports of ammonium sulfate stood at 11.3 million mt, Trade Data Monitor reported, a 23% increase from 9.2 million mt noted for the prior-year period. The increase in amsul sales, said one trader, was made possible because the product was not placed on the export-restricted list alongside urea and DAP. While sources said there has been some talk that amsul could be included in the 2023 restrictions, few seem to think it will happen, as amsul – often created as a byproduct – differs from urea production.

November exports were reported at 1.1 million mt, up slightly from 1 million mt exported during November 2021, with Brazil and Turkey purchasing the bulk of exports, both in the year-to-date and November periods. Brazil bought 3.3 million mt in January-November and 253,000 mt in November, while Turkey took 1 million mt in January-November and 171,000 mt in November.

Russia:   

The Russian government is expected to issue an amsul export quota of 480,000 mt for January-May 2023. This level is not expected to impact exports. Trade Data Monitor reported average exports for the same periods of 2019-2021 at 136,000 mt.

Brazil:   

The ammonium sulfate price in Brazil softened slightly to $250-$265/mt CFR. Sources said the lower end of the range represented February purchases, as suppliers are reportedly out of January product.

The price in Rondonopolis dropped to $400-$410/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Dealers said they were also faced with cheaper product for February and limited tons for January.

South Korea:

Ammonium sulfate exports for January-November were reported at 234,000 mt by Trade Data Monitor, down54% year-over-year from 503,000 mt. The main buyers were the US with 86,000 mt, Mexico with 83,000 mt, and New Zealand with 41,000 mt.

November exports were reported at 28,000 mt, down slightly from 37,000 mt sold in November 2021. The US took 27,500 mt of the tonnage.

DAP/MAP

Argentina, Brazil, California, Central Florida, China, DAP/MAP, Eastern Cornbelt, India, Lithuania, Market Watch, Pacific N.W., Pakistan, U.S. Exports, U.S. Gulf, U.S. Imports, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

Central Florida:

Central Florida DAP truck prices were posted at $660/st FOB, steady from the prior report. Truck-loaded MAP postings ran even with DAP at $660/st FOB.

Sources continued to quote the North Florida MAP truck market at $700/st FOB, steady from the week-ago.

US Gulf:

NOLA phosphate market players reported falling price action on the DAP and MAP barge markets.

Domestically-produced DAP barges loading from NOLA were quoted at a high of $625/st FOB, unchanged from the prior top, while open-origin material was reported trading at $600-$605/st FOB, below the week-ago $615/st FOB floor.

Sales of domestic MAP loading in the December-January period were quoted at $620/st FOB, below the prior $640/st FOB high, while barges continued to track as low as $595-$605/st FOB for imported tons.

NOLA DAP barges were noted at $600-$625/st FOB, down from $615-$625/st FOB in the previous report. NOLA MAP was called in a $595-$620/st FOB range, falling from $595-$640/st FOB at last check.

US Imports:

DAP imports were off 56.4% in the July-October period, falling to 256,916 st from the prior-year 589,739 st. Imports moved down 30.5% in October, to 68,199 st from the year-ago 98,149 st.

Saudi Arabia led July-October imports with 194,490 st, followed by Australia at 43,806 st, and 12,234 st from Russia.

MAP/Other imports firmed 289.4% in October, to 127,673 st compared the year-ago 32,788 st. July-October imports were off 4.8%, however, at 289,322 st compared to 303,762 st reported one year earlier.

Imports from Russia were counted at 115,165 st in July-October. Australia followed with 67,187 st, while imports from Saudi Arabia totaled 47,842 st. Mexico added 43,359 st.

US Exports:

DAP exports for October stood at 38,957 st, off 45.4% from the year-ago 71,375 st. July-October exports were quoted at 303,328 st, however, up 81.3% from the prior-year 167,313 st.

October MAP/Other exports moved 1.7% lower, to 152,841 st from the year-ago 155,417 st. July-October exports were down 14.4%, to 621,894 st from 726,164 st.

Mosaic reported an 8,000 mt DAP cargo sold into a single destination in northern Latin America on Dec. 16. The $670/mt FOB transaction, combined with recent spot business noted at $640-$650/mt FOB, stretched Gulf export pricing to a $640-$670/mt FOB range.

Eastern Cornbelt:

DAP offers were quoted at $685-$725/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the Cincinnati market reported at $690-$705/st FOB. MAP pricing fell in the same range as DAP in late December.

Western Cornbelt:

DAP pricing remained at $685-$705/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the St. Louis market quoted at $690-$695/st FOB. MAP was reported at similar levels to DAP during the week.

California:

MAP pricing in California was steady at $835/st FOB or DEL for post-fill offers.

Pacific Northwest:

MAP pricing in the Pacific Northwest was confirmed at $815-$825/st FOB or DEL, depending on location.

Western Canada:

MAP prices in Western Canada were down slightly from last report. Delivered pricing was confirmed in a tight range C$1,150-$1,160/mt in the region, down from the prior C$1,140-$1,180/mt DEL range. The warehouse market was pegged in a broader C$1,135-$1,180/mt FOB for December-January, compared with C$1,165-$1,200/mt FOB at last report.

China:   

Trade Data Monitor reported January-November DAP exports at 2.2 million mt, falling47% from 6.2 million mt exported through the same period of 2021. The market’s primary buyers were India, taking 1.1 million mt, and Bangladesh with 605,000 mt.

November DAP exports were reported at 201,000 mt, up from the prior-year 129,000 mt. India bought 75,000 mt, good for 37% of the export market.

MAP exports for January-November were counted at 1.8 million mt, down 52% from 3.8 million mt in the prior-year period. Brazil took 641,000 mt, followed by Australia with 286,000 mt.

November MAP exports were reported at 197,000 mt, up dramatically from 76,000 mt shipped in November 2021. Australia took 47% of the exports with 93,000 mt.

India:     

Sources noted price softening for DAP, with deals reportedly done at $720-$725/mt CFR.

There are reports that more Russian DAP is being delivered to India. As an incentive to take the product, sources said the landed price is coming in close to $700/mt CFR, although there is no confirmation of the Russian deals.

Pakistan:       

Fauji told the Pakistan Stock Exchange it will shut down its DAP production, citing reduced demand from farmers. The company said it would use the shutdown to conduct routine maintenance at the facility, and that any potential restart would be based on market demand. The reduced demand for DAP stemmed from both the rising price of fertilizers and damage to fields sustained during flooding reported earlier in the year, the company said.

Brazil:   

The price for MAP continues to strengthen, with sources putting the landed price at $640-$655/mt CFR. Sources said the price increase is coming as demand for product related to the 2023/2024 soybean crop intensifies.

Rondonopolis also reported a price increase to $780-$815/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Sources said that some sellers appear to be out of product and are waiting for replacement tons. Others seem to be holding back their product for even higher prices.

Argentina:    

Imports of MAP for January-November were reported at 773,000 mt by Trade Data Monitor, off15% from the year-ago 914,000 mt. Morocco led sellers with 343,000 mt, followed by the US with 191,000 mt and China with 182,000 mt.

November imports were reported at 24,000 mt, down 52% from 50,000 mt reported in November 2021. Morocco supplied the full amount.

Lithuania:

Phosphate fertilizer producer Lifosa AB has resumed production, producing its first tons of phosphate fertilizer since September, according to a Tass report, citing a company representative speaking on Dec. 20. Lifosa’s main product is DAP, with a production capacity of approximately 1 million mt/y.

Lifosa’s owner, EuroChem Group AG, confirmed on Nov. 29 that the Lithuanian producer was completing preparations to restart its Kėdainiai production facilities in December (GM Dec. 2, p. 33). Production was halted in mid-September due to a shortage of critical raw materials, including ammonia, and due to high natural gas prices (GM Sept. 16, p. 29; Sept. 9, p. 28). The producer had only resumed operations on Aug. 7.

Phosphoric Acid

California, Eastern Cornbelt, India, Market Watch, Pacific N.W., Phosphoric Acid, U.S. Exports, Western Cornbelt

US Exports:

Wet-process phosphoric acid exports moved up 4.1% in July-October, to 98,001 st from the year-ago 94,148 st. Export shipments totaled 5,925 st for October, however, a 28.1% decrease from 8,238 st in the prior October.

Eastern Cornbelt:

December phos acid postings in the Eastern Cornbelt remained at $14.00/unit rail-DEL.

Western Cornbelt:

Phos acid pricing was unchanged at $14.00/unit rail-DEL in the region for December tons.

California:

December pricing for phos acid was unchanged at $14.00/unit rail-DEL in California, with MGA referenced at $14.20/unit FOB Lathrop.

Pacific Northwest:

December pricing for phos acid remained $13.50/st FOB Pocatello, Idaho, and $14.00/unit rail-DEL in the Pacific Northwest.

India:

India phos acid contracts were reported at $1,100-$1,200/mt P2O5 CFR for the fourth quarter, below $1,715/mt P2O5 CFR noted for the second and third quarters. Sources reported hearing quotes for new phos acid business at $1,050/mt CFR.