LSB Industries Inc., Oklahoma City, reported a second-quarter net loss of $365,000 on net sales of $105 million, down from the year-ago net income of $6.6 million and $121.5 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA was $29.2 million, down from $32 million. The company cited lower agricultural selling prices on higher sales volumes. Industrial and mining volumes, however, were down.

MMTC dropped a clause in an addendum to its July 30 urea tender that led to confusion as to whether intermediaries or Chinese urea producers had to be registered with the Indian government. The first clause, requiring an offering company from “a country which shares a land border with India” to register with appropriate government agencies, remains in effect.

Second-quarter fertilizer sales volumes were up 3 percent for Martin Midstream LP (MMLP), Kilgore, Texas, with overall operating income for the Sulfur Services segment, which includes fertilizer, up at $7.4 million from the year-ago $5.3 million. Company-wide, MMLP posted a net loss on continuing operations of $2.2 million versus a year-ago loss of $10.6 million.

An addendum to the MMTC urea tender that closes July 30 could impact how many tons are offered from China. The first part of the addendum codifies a recently enacted requirement that any company from a country that shares a land border with India must be registered with the Indian government. Sources said this was clearly aimed at Chinese companies operating in India.

The second part of the addendum is less clear. It says the rule also applies to any sub-contractor in the supply chain the trader may use. Sources were not sure it this includes ensuring the urea producer is registered with the Indian government or if non-Chinese companies can use their China-based offices to secure tonnage for the tender. At a minimum it eliminates international traders using intermediaries. One trader said it will also help stop the re-export of Iranian urea to India because of the various steps necessary to clean up the paperwork to make the urea look as it is of Chinese origin.

Sources said the new rule will increase the risk of offering Chinese product in the tender, thereby reducing the amount of tonnage offered.

The appellate body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has decided in Russia’s favor regarding the country’s almost seven-year dispute with the European Union (EU) over the anti-dumping measures in place on imports of Russian ammonium nitrate (AN) into the EU.

The WTO panel found the cost adjustment methodology regarding prices for energy inputs used by the EU and some WTO member countries which are used to establish anti-dumping duties on Russian AN, as unlawful, according to the decision published on the trade organization’s website on July 24. The current application of anti-dumping measures by the EU was also recognized as unlawful.

Based on the panel’s decision, the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association (RFPA) are demanding an end to anti-dumping investigations by the EU, and the immediate removal of anti-dumping duties on Russian AN.

Russia filed its complaint back in 2013. Anti-dumping duties have been in place on imports of Russian AN into the EU for more than 20 years. They are currently levied at a rate of €28.78 to €32.71/mt, depending on product type.

Tampa anhydrous ammonia for August has rolled over from July’s $205/mt CFR.

MMTC tendered for urea on July 22. Offers are due July 30 and are to remain valid through Aug. 4. Shipment is through Sept. 4.

While Nutrien Ltd., Saskatoon, has been moving its Canadian ammonium sulfate to long-standing customers of its other products in the Western Cornbelt, Green Markets did not mean to suggest in the July 17 issue that the Nutrien offers were at the low end of the range.

MMTC gave a deadline of July 21 at 4:00 pm India time for traders to match the $242.50/mt CFR West Coast and $240/mt CFR East Coast prices. Sources said they do not expect many traders to take up the offer. One trader said MMTC will most likely only get 200,000 mt, necessitating another tender call soon.

Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. called a tender for 115,000 mt of various colors of DAP in three lots to close July 21. Sources said the different colors – white/pink to dark/blackish brown — reflect regional preferences. Sources said the tender should confirm higher prices into India after $322/mt CFR was confirmed late last week.