All posts by mickeybarb@charter.net

Russian Fertilizer Producers Welcome E.U. Clarifications on Global Food Security

Europe, News, News Briefs, Russia

Russian Fertilizer Producers Association (RFPA) President Andrey Guryev said on July 28 the industry association welcomes the statements of the European Council emphasising that no restrictive measures should be imposed on Russian fertilizers or foodstuffs.

“It is significant that the E.U. has officially affirmed its commitment to avoiding any steps that might undermine global food security,” he said in a statement.

Guryev said Russia plays a key role in providing the world with food, and is the second-largest producer of fertilizers in the world (after China). Last year, 29% of all fertilizers imported by Europe were produced in Russia, he said.

Sanctions imposed by a number of countries, including the E.U., are having a serious negative impact on the supply of fertilizers to world markets, Guryev said.

He noted this is reflected, in particular, in the refusal of transport companies to provide vessels for the transportation of cargo of Russian origin (even if the cargo itself and/or the cargo owners are not under sanctions), in the refusal to provide insurance for transportation from Russia, in restrictions on vessel calls at Russian ports, and in difficulties with financial clearing for transactions due to time-consuming banking compliance procedures.

Guryev believes “these artificially created barriers” are destroying established logistics schemes and supply chains used to deliver fertilizers to end consumers, and are therefore further escalating the food crisis.

He expressed the hope that an E.U. directive/resolution/authorization or other document will be issued in the near future that will guarantee banks, insurance companies, shipping companies, and suppliers of technologies and equipment for the mineral fertilizer industry in the E.U. and third countries that “their relations with Russian fertilizer producers will not be looked at through the prism of sanctions legislation.”

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Relocates HQ

Ammonia, DAP/MAP, News, News Briefs, Saudi Arabia, Specialty, Urea

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co., which is 50.1% owned by Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), has relocated the company’s head office from Jubail Industrial City to Riyadh, effective July 19.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients owns SABIC’s 50% stake in National Chemical Fertilizer Co. (Ibn Al-Baytar) and in Al-Jubail Fertilizer Co. (Al Bayroni), and its 33.33% holding in Bahrain-based nitrogen fertilizer producer Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Co. (GPIC). Its product portfolio includes ammonia, urea, DAP, and specialized fertilizer.

This past January, SABIC Agri-Nutrients signed a binding agreement to acquire 49% of the share capital of Dubai-based agri-nutrient blender and distributor ETG Inputs Holdco Ltd. (GM Jan. 28, p. 1).

Kanga Potash Secures Production License for ROC Potash Project

Africa, London, News, News Briefs

London-listed potash junior Kanga Potash has been granted an exploitation license by the Republic of Congo (ROC) to begin mining and production, and now has all the necessary regulatory consents to enter the pre-construction phase of the project.

Ratification by the ROC parliament is the only pending matter for final approval, the company said. The ESIA for the project was approved in March 2021.

The license area granted to Kanga Potash covers 320 km2 and is located 32 km north of Pointe Noire on the Atlantic Coast, the country’s second-biggest city and economic hub.

The company is targeting an initial production of 600,000 mt/y of potassium chloride.

Exploration drilling in 2017 has shown potash seams with a mineable thickness in excess of 210 meters at an average 68% carnallite grade (KCl 18.2% equivalent) at depths between 300 meters and 1,100 meters, according to Kanga.

Due to these “ultra-thick” potash seams, the company sees the life of mine as in excess of 30 years and believes the modular nature of the project processing plant design facilitates options for production to be increased to above 2.4 million mt/y, as and when market conditions allow.

The planned processing plant – to be located at the coast – will also include an owner-operated transhipment jetty. Kanga will use an existing valve station connection via an approved, dedicated 33 km-long natural gas pipeline to access long-term, competitively priced natural gas from one of the ROC’s major oil and gas producers.

Kanga said it has secured two Letters of Intent for potash offtake, from what it describes as “a reputable trading company” and “a Fortune 500 company” for 100% of the initial designated production.

The company said it also has received MOUs from pre-qualified EPC contractors for a highly leveraged finance solution with the backing of Export Credit Agencies to fund up to 85% of the required capex for the project via debt subject to meeting local content requirements. The project cost is currently put at around $457 million.

SABIC AN, Biowish Launch Bio-Enhanced Urea; Available from ADM, APF

Eastern Cornbelt, Featured, News, Saudi Arabia, Specialty, Urea

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. (SABIC AN), Riyadh, and Biowish Technologies Inc., Cincinnati, announced on July 21 the launch of a new bio-enhanced urea. They said the product will be available at the same price as standard urea through the Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) and American Plant Food (APF) for a limited time in select areas. Orders will initially be fulfilled through SABIC AN partners in select target countries while the teams work together to expand in other regions around the world.

SABIC AN and Biowish said they have completed a year-long technical evaluation of Biowish® Crop Liquid technology in which SABIC urea was coated with a blend of proprietary microbial cultures. The evaluation occurred in nine countries across five continents and nine difference crop types. The coating can go onto dry fertilizer or be mixed with liquid fertilizers to create an enhanced efficiency fertilizer specifically designed to optimize yield potential and improve soil productivity.

“We are thrilled to confirm that SABIC AN Bio-Enhanced Urea powered by Biowish® has performed extremely well in the field,” said Munif Al-Munif, General Manager, Agri-Nutrients Technology at SABIC AN. “Our uniform, high-crushing strength urea combined with the superior technology of Biowish® Crop Liquid delivers extended stability and consistent performance at a price per acre farmers can afford. In an industry challenged with high regulatory pressures and global food demand, we are excited to offer a sustainable product that safely increases crop production and generates higher profits for growers.”

SABIC AN and Biowish said they have constructed a joint development platform designed to advance further customizations across a range of SABIC AN’s high-efficiency fertilizers. This partnership is the foundation for future products and other agronomic innovations.

Ammonia

Ammonia, California, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Middle East, Pacific N.W., Southeast Asia, Tampa, U.S. Gulf, Western, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

U.S. Gulf/Tampa:

As expected, Tampa ammonia prices moved up. August was concluded at $1,100/mt CFR, a jump from July’s $960/mt CFR. Sources attributed the uptick to tighter supplies and less production in Europe due to limited gas availability.

As a result, ammonia from the U.S., Trinidad, and other producers are being sourced to fill in production gaps in Europe.

Eastern Cornbelt:

CF announced new 4Q prepay pricing for ammonia early on July 27 at $985/st FOB in Indiana and $980/st FOB in Illinois, up from recent 3Q fill offers at $950/st FOB in Illinois and Indiana. The order book for 3Q shipments is still reportedly open.

New pricing FOB Lima, Ohio, was confirmed at $985/st FOB for prompt or prepay tons, up from last week’s $950/st FOB.

Western Cornbelt:

CF’s 4Q prepay program for ammonia, launched on July 27, included $950/st FOB Palmyra, Mo., $940/st FOB terminals in eastern Iowa, $900/st FOB Port Neal, Iowa, and $875/st FOB Verdigris, Okla. Those levels are up from recent 3Q fill offers at $825/st FOB Port Neal and Verdigris. The order book for 3Q shipments is still reportedly open.

California:

Anhydrous ammonia postings from Calamco remained at $1,147/st DEL in California, with aqua ammonia posted at $301/st FOB Stockton.

Pacific Northwest:

A slight increase was reported for ammonia in the Pacific Northwest, where the latest offers were quoted at $940/st FOB truck terminals and $970-$1,000/st DEL, up from the previous $910-$930/st FOB and $930-$950/st DEL ranges. Another increase is expected on Aug. 1.

Aqua ammonia pricing moved up $5/st, to $245/st FOB in the region.

Western Canada:

The last offers for ammonia remained at C$1,320-$1,340/mt DEL for fall tons in Western Canada, depending on location and supplier.

Western Europe:

Higher gas prices are pushing the estimated production cost for ammonia to beyond $2,000/mt. Sources said, however, that the actual price of ammonia, while higher than previous years, is nowhere near that level.

European ammonia production is using natural gas purchased at lower levels more than a month ago. Sources are saying the actual production cost for ammonia is in the $1,200s/mt, but heading up.

Even with production costs up, the ammonia price out of Antwerp is pegged at $1,200-$1,250/mt C&F. Traders said imports from around the world are keeping the Northwest Europe price in check. The impact of imported ammonia has producers telling the world it is cheaper to import than to produce, so that is what they will do.

Material is coming into Northwest Europe from Asia, the Arab Gulf, North Africa, and the Caribbean. Sources said even with higher freight rates and rising netback requirements from producers, the plentiful supply of ammonia around the world makes sales into Europe possible.

Sources noted that the increased interest in importing ammonia means less of the limited natural gas entering Europe will have to be diverted to industrial use. The E.U. agreed on July 26 to cut demand for gas by 15% during the next eight months. Bloomberg reported the move came as Gazprom announced it was cutting gas supplies to the E.U. to 20% of its pipeline capacity.

The decisions have led European countries, especially Germany, to limit natural gas use during the summer and fall so that reserves can be built up for winter use. Any reduction in use by industries, said one ammonia trader, is probably welcome news to the government planners.

Middle East:

Despite protests to the contrary by producers, sources said there is plenty of ammonia available in the region. Queries to producers in the low-$900s/mt FOB are usually rebuffed with a comment on how all producers are sold out for the next 45-60 days.

A bid at a higher level, with some flexibility in shipping times, usually gets a positive response for further talks.The lack of any new spot deals leaves prices at $900-$950/mt FOB.

Southeast Asia:

An explosion at Kaltim V on July 23 closed its ammonia and urea production. The plant had a rating of 900,000 mt/y of ammonia and 1.2 million mt/y of urea.

Kaltim reportedly told urea traders that the plant would be down for 3-4 months. Asian traders estimate the downtime will be more like 6-8 months. Ammonia traders said the most likely scenario will be a shutdown lasting 4-6 months. One trader said that whatever the time, ammonia will be short in Asia. He added that the continued softening of demand in the region will take some of the sting out of the shortage.

About half of the ammonia production at Kaltim V went to its urea facility. With the urea operations also closed, the loss of the ammonia output will only affect the tons dedicated to other domestic buyers use and exports.

The average monthly exports of ammonia from all producers for January-May 2022 were calculated at 166,000 mt from Trade Data Monitor numbers. Sources estimated the Kaltim V closure could eliminate 15,000-25,000 mt from the global marketplace each month.

So far, buyers in Asia have not reacted to the situation. Sources said demand has been slowing down as the global economy retracts. The loss of the Kaltim tonnage may slow down expectations of softer prices in the region.

The loss of the Kaltim tons might also affect supplies in Morocco and Northwest Europe. Buyers for OCP and in Europe have picked up cargoes from Indonesia to make up for some of the losses experienced when Russian ammonia was cut off from the Black Sea and Baltic ports. India will also be hit.

Sources reported that China appears to be stepping up ammonia exports. While Trade Data Monitor reported only 17,000 mt exported in the first half of the year, this compares to annual export rates of 1,000-3,000 mt in the past four years. A recent sale of 18,000 mt at $750/mt FOB was sent to India and is being unloaded this week.

There are also reports of another cargo of 18,000 mt being assembled in China, with a stop off in Indonesia for another 7,000 mt for a buyer in Northwest Europe.With freight from China and Indonesia to Antwerp estimated at $200-$250/mt and a price of $750/mt FOB, sources said buyers will still be able to make money in the European market.

Urea

Black Sea, Brazil, California, China, Eastern Cornbelt, India, Indonesia, Market Watch, Middle East, Pacific N.W., U.S. Gulf, Urea, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

U.S. Gulf:

It was a big trading week for NOLA urea. Sources reported several transactions and a broad price range.

The week began with barges trading as low as $465/st FOB before working their way up to $580/st FOB on Thursday for July-August business. This compares to the week-ago $470-$535/st FOB. September was reported to have occurred at $520-$585/st FOB.

With Egyptian prices shooting up early in the week, sources said there was a huge gap between international and NOLA prices, making U.S. prices a real bargain. Others noted that more exports from NOLA have been going out, whittling down domestic inventories.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Urea prices were quoted in a broad range at $560-$610/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed early in the week. The higher numbers came later in the week amid firming NOLA barge values.

Western Cornbelt:

Urea prices edged higher to $550-$610/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, depending on location and time of the week.

California:

Urea pricing in California was steady at $710-$760/st FOB port terminals for bulk tons, while reference prices remained as high as $900/st FOB Stockton for bagged product. The last rail-DEL urea sales were confirmed at the $625/st level for limited spot sales in mid-July.

Pacific Northwest:

The urea market was pegged at $625-$630/st FOB in the Pacific Northwest, with the low at Rivergate, Ore. Rail-DEL pricing fell in the $600-$640/st range in the region in late July, depending on location.

Western Canada:

Urea prices in Western Canada were confirmed in a broad range at C$810-$865/mt FOB and C$855-$880/mt DEL for 3Q tons at midweek, depending on location.

India:

The IPL urea tender awards came in higher than what the buying house requested. The tender documents called for 500,000 mt. In the end, IPL bought 593,000 mt from eight companies.

When the tender closed on July 20 with prices of $517-$520/mt CFR, many in the industry doubted IPL would be able to secure their requested tonnage. Traders estimated the best IPL could do is about 495,000 mt. During the weekend after the tender close, IPL secured 422,000 mt from six companies.

They then stepped up their efforts with six more companies to at least reach 500,000 mt. The initial effort netted 520,000 mt. Further talks took the final amount to 593,000 mt.

Supplier Quantity (mt) Discharge Port
Gavilon 100,000 Krishnapatnam-Mundra
Swiss Singapore 150,000 Tuticorin-Mundra-Pipavav
Sun 30,000 Paradip
Samsung 95,000 Gangavaram-Tuna
Dreymoor 50,000 Pipavav
OQ Traders 90,000 Kandla
FertCom 48,000 Jaigarh
Medallion 60,000 Rozy

Shipments to East Coast ports are estimated at 185,000 mt, while the remaining 408,000 mt are bound for West Coast deliveries. Sources estimated three cargoes totaling 120,000 mt will come from China, with another 45,000-50,000 mt coming from Indonesia. Just about all the West Coast deliveries are expected to be sourced from the Arab Gulf.

India still needs 1-1.5 million mt for the current application season. Sources speculated that the next buyer will wait until all the tons awarded in the IPL tender have vessels nominated. Once the cargoes and ships are locked in, said traders, it would make sense to call the next tender.

Prices in the next tender are expected to be much higher. The consensus going into the IPL tender was that prices would be around $600/mt CFR. This level would have been significantly lower than the previous tender, but not so low that producers would shy away from supporting the deals. In the end, said one trader, Gavilon was able to get its hands on cheap urea and went for the sale instead of a large profit margin.

Sources said the price and availability of tons for the next tender will depend on how many tons China makes available and if the Turkey-brokered deal to provide safe passage for Ukraine grain and Russian fertilizers works out. One trader said even if China holds back on its urea, if Russia can get several vessels out in a public manner, prices could remain at current levels – or even go down.

Middle East:

The urea price from the Arab Gulf bounced back from the upper-$490s/mt FOB, based on the IPL tender, to $545/mt FOB. Sources said a deal was closed that moved tonnage out at that level, with higher prices expected.

Part of the upward pressure came as European buyers moved aggressively after material to cover shorts and to take a few long positions while prices were down. The move ran up Egyptian prices dramatically and had a rollover impact, forcing higher prices out of the Arab Gulf.

Egyptian producers began reporting deals at $675/mt FOB earlier in the week. Almost immediately, new and higher prices were coming out. By July 28, the price had hit $760/mt FOB. Most of the tonnage was 10,000 mt or less, and all was sold to traders for European buyers for August and September shipments.

China:

Sources said the export urea price is pegged at $470-$480/mt FOB, against an ex-factory domestic price of $380/mt FOB and an estimated price from the Indian tender of $492-$495/mt FOB.

Traders said two cargoes of 45,000 mt and one of 30,000 mt are already set aside for delivery to India under the IPL tender. Additional tons might be shaken loose to top off these shipments.

The nearly $100/mt gap between the export price and the ex-factory price could change, said traders. Producers could move to increase the price when the next Indian tender comes along to enjoy even better income. Sources said if the price increase does not impact the domestic price, the Chinese government will most likely not move to severely limit exports.

Some traders are said to be approaching producers trying to secure long positions in anticipation of locking in a lower price before the next Indian tender is called. One trader warned, however, that the government could move to make the deals moot by either banning the exports or by placing so many hurdles to complete the deal that any profit would be eaten up in extra charges.

China remains an anchor for Indian business. Even with limited tonnage available, sources said the Chinese price helps set the tone for the rest of the market. Likewise, as long as China allows some tons to flow out – especially for the tenders – the market will not face a dramatic shortage that would provide painful price spikes.

Indonesia:

The explosion at the Kaltim V plant shut down urea and ammonia production. The plant production rate is quoted at 1.2 million mt/y for urea and 900,000 mt/y of ammonia. The market will be short 100,000 mt for each month the plant is closed.

The explosion, said traders, took the possibility of an export tender off the table. Some smaller deals for prilled urea might pop up, said one trader, but there will most likely not be any major offerings of new granular product for a while.

Black Sea:

The agreement brokered by Turkey to get Ukrainian wheat to the global market included provisions for the export of Russian fertilizers. While some Russian urea has been shipped out of the region and out of the Russian Baltic ports, the deals have been quiet and limited. Sources put the price of urea coming out of the Black Sea at $437-$450/mt FOB.

The Turkish deal could open a window on Russian urea sales if it takes effect. Bloomberg reported that Turkey is confident grain exports could start as early as Aug. 1, depending on how quickly the ports are cleared from war debris and mines and when the logistics for handling the trades are set up.

Even though Russian fertilizers are not included in the American and European sanctions against Russia, sources said many banks and insurance companies are still hesitant to get involved. One global trader said a banker or a trader could be caught in the middle of a bad situation if the rules change part way through a transaction.

Sources also said many in the financial sector are nervous about making an unintentional error in the paperwork that could open the banker to a government investigation for sanction violations. Despite a letter from the U.S. government that no bank or insurance company would be held in violation of the sanction’s regime, sources said there are too many variables for a stable deal.

Brazil:

Urea prices dropped to $540-$580/mt CFR, but seem to be ready for a rebound. Companies have withdrawn their urea pricing sheets as prices begin to go up around the world. New offers being discussed could move the price to $600/mt CFR and up by next week.

The movement in pricing confirmed talk this week that $540/mt CFR was the floor for prices. Besides the shift in prices in Egypt and the Arab Gulf, sources were looking at the higher natural gas prices in Europe and speculating that higher urea prices might follow.

Efforts by Turkey to get Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizers out of the Black Sea have not impacted the Brazilian market yet. International traders said the first beneficiaries of Russian urea exports would be Brazil and India. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said Russia would ensure fertilizer shipments to its friends, and specifically called out Brazil and India.

Rondonópolis reported prices at $720-$740/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Sources said there was limited trading as buyers seem to be waiting for the end of soybean planting before discussing urea needs for the corn fields.

UAN

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

U.S. Gulf:

NOLA UAN barges continued to be called $400/st ($12.50/unit) FOB based on CF’s fill program announced on July 19.

Eastern Cornbelt:

UAN-32 fill pricing remained at $435-$443/st ($13.59-$13.84/unit) FOB regional terminals, with UAN-28 fill reported at $389-$395/st ($13.89-$14.11/unit) FOB in Ohio.

Western Cornbelt:

UAN-32 fill program offers were quoted at $420-$440/st ($13.13-$13.75/unit) FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at Port Neal. St. Louis offers were holding at $435/st ($13.59/unit) FOB for July-August tons. “Many layered in 25% of needs,” commented one source.

California:

UAN-32 fill offers in California were quoted at $485-$505/st ($15.16-$15.78/unit) FOB Stockton, well below the last prompt pricing reported at $660-$680/st ($20.63-$21.25/unit) FOB. Sources also confirmed recent rail-DEL fill offers at the $485/st ($15.16/unit) level for September shipment.

Pacific Northwest:

The UAN-32 market slipped to $475/st ($14.84/unit) FOB Kennewick, Wash., down from $550/st FOB at last report. Rail-DEL offers were confirmed as low as $505/st ($15.78/unit) in the Pacific Northwest in late July.

Western Canada:

The latest UAN-28 offers in Western Canada were reported at C$545-$575/mt (C$19.46-$20.54/unit) DEL, up from C$535-$545/mt (C$19.11-$19.46/unit) DEL in early July.

Ammonium Sulfate

Ammonium Sulfate, Brazil, California, China, Eastern Cornbelt, Market Watch, Pacific N.W., U.S. Gulf, Western Canada, Western Cornbelt

U.S. Gulf:

NOLA ammonium sulfate barges were reported to be available at $390/st FOB, compared to the week-ago range of $400-$420/st FOB.

Eastern Cornbelt:

Granular ammonium sulfate prices were pegged at $450-$480/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, down another $10-$15/st from the previous week, with the low confirmed in Illinois and the high at Cincinnati.

Western Cornbelt:

Granular ammonium sulfate pricing was quoted at $450-$480/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, slightly lower than last report, as softer NOLA numbers worked their way inland.

California:

Ammonium sulfate was quoted at $670/st FOB in California for the last prompt sales, although sources described the market as “very changeable,” and said very few tons were moving in late July. Ammonium sulfate prices from some suppliers in California were slated to fall to the $525/st FOB level on Aug. 1.

Pacific Northwest:

Granular ammonium sulfate prices in the Pacific Northwest were reported at $450-$475/st FOB or DEL, with the low for the last fill business at mid-month and the upper end reflecting post-fill offers that remain untested.

Western Canada:

The Western Canada ammonium sulfate market was quoted at C$485-$515/mt DEL, with the lower end reflecting recent fill offers and the high reported for post-fill reference prices. “Farmers are not buying phosphate, which is holding up some ammonium sulfate purchases,” commented one regional source.

China:

It was a quiet week as ammonium sulfate sales progressed, but without any vigor. Sources put the price at a steady $220-$230/mt FOB.

Brazil:

Ammonium sulfate prices in Brazil moved down to $295-$315/mt CFR. Sources said the softness came on the heels of reports of more vessels scheduled to arrive laden with amsul.

Rondonópolis prices dropped to $410-$415/mt FOB ex-warehouse. The move matched an overall price drop in the early part of the week for all fertilizers. The late week rebound in urea had not yet hit the amsul market as Green Markets went to press.

DAP/MAP

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

Central Florida:

Central Florida DAP trucks continued to be posted at $840/st FOB, sources confirmed, unchanged from the prior report. Truck-loaded MAP was posted even with week-ago levels at $850/st FOB.

No changes were reported in the North Florida MAP truck market, leaving postings at $890/st FOB.

U.S. Gulf:

A slow week of trading left NOLA DAP and MAP prices moving in a sideways direction, players said.

With minimal trading reported, DAP barge price ideas tracked even with the week-ago low at $760/st FOB, while sources quoted the nearby high at $770-$780/st FOB, also steady from the prior report. Domestically produced DAP continued to be offered at $810/st FOB for NOLA loading, with no trades reported for the week at that level. A rumored $755/st FOB DAP trade could not be confirmed before press time on July 29.

Sources also described little-to-no traded MAP volume, leaving values steady at their last reported $825/st FOB high. Players previously noted values at an $807/st FOB low. MAP was offered at $850/st FOB by domestic producers, with no trades confirmed. A MAP barge rumored changing hands at $790/st FOB went unconfirmed on July 29.

With few barge trades reported for the week, the nearby NOLA DAP market continued at the week-ago $760-$780/st FOB level, sources said. MAP pricing also rolled over from the prior week, at $807-$825/st FOB.

U.S. Exports:

Recent phosphates exported from the Gulf of Mexico continued to be tagged in the $910-$925/mt FOB range, unmoved from the prior report.

Eastern Cornbelt:

DAP remained at $810-$840/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed in Illinois and the high in Ohio. MAP was steady at $860-$880/st FOB in the region. Cincinnati pricing was unchanged at $820-$830/st FOB for DAP and $860-$875/st FOB for MAP during the week.

Western Cornbelt:

DAP was steady at $810-$845/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis. MAP pricing remained in the $845-$870/st FOB range in the region, with the low at St. Louis and the high reported in Iowa.

California:

MAP pricing was steady at $900/st FOB or DEL in California, unchanged from last report.

Pacific Northwest:

MAP pricing remained at $890/st FOB or DEL in the Pacific Northwest in late July.

Western Canada:

MAP was pegged at C$1,220-$1,250/mt FOB and $1,250-$1,270/mt DEL in Western Canada for July-August tons, depending on location.

China:

Sources pegged the market price for DAP at $920-$930/mt FOB, but without any new business to confirm those levels. Sources said producers, when asked, will quote $940/mt FOB, but will not volunteer prices or tons. Expectations abound that prices will be coming off as India continues to pressure for lower prices and as Chinese domestic stockpiles remain high.

India:

Indian buyers are pushing hard for $930-$940/mt CFR for DAP imports, but lack any new business to move public pricing off the $950-$960/mt CFR mark.

Brazil:

The imported MAP price in Brazil was reported at $950-$1,000/mt CFR. Softness in pricing is expected because of high domestic stockpiles. Suppliers are flexible in pricing, allowing for some cheaper deals to be made. Fears of a growing surplus in Rondonópolis have deals coming in at $1,050-$1,065/mt FOB ex-warehouse.