Sources reported Egyptian producer Abu Qir sold 25,000 mt of granular urea at $245/mt FOB and 25,000 mt of prilled urea at $240/mt FOB for the first half of April. The tender closed Thursday, March 19. The prices represent a $20/mt drop from the last done business.

Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers called the much-anticipated urea tender March 21. The tender will close March 30 with a shipping deadline of May 5. In the run-up to the call, industry sources said they expect the tender to bring in 1 million mt. Under Section 19 of the tender documents, RCF makes it clear that any costs related to a vessel quarantine will be the seller’s responsibility.

The tender documents are available at https://www.rcfltd.com/public/storage/tenders/T1584778008-NIT.pdf

The Southwestern Fertilizer Conference continues to be scheduled for July 19-23, in Denver. However, the SWFC leadership said March 19 that it will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses so that it can respond as necessary. SWFC expects to provide another communication April 10, with a final decision before June 1.

Anglo American, through its wholly owned subsidiary Anglo American Projects UK Limited, has now completed the acquisition of Sirius and its Woodsmith Project in the UK. The deal became effective March 1.

“Today marks a new chapter for the Woodsmith Project, the employees of the business and everyone who has an interest in its future,” said Mark Cutifani, Anglo American CEO. “This is a project with clear potential as a Tier 1 supplier of premium quality, low carbon fertilizer to help meet food demand for a fast growing global population.”

Maire Tecnimont SpA, Milan, reports that its subsidiary company  Tecnimont SpA has signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract (EPC) with Gemlik Gubre Sanayii Anonim Sirketi valued at €200 million related to the implementation of a new urea and UAN complex in Gemlik, 125 km south of Istanbul, Turkey. The plant will have the capacity of 1,640 mt/d of granular urea and 500 mt/d of UAN. Stamicarbon urea technology will be used. Project completion is expected in about three years.

Germany’s K+S Group confirmed with Green Markets today that it will only be selling its North and South American salt business. The Bethune, Sask., potash asset is not being sold. The salt sale is expected by the end of the year.

Urea prices in North Africa jumped with the announcement that Sorfert of Algeria sold 7,000 mt of granular urea at $275/mt FOB for April shipping. The cargo is reportedly heading for a European buyer. The sale represents a jump of about $15/mt in Sorfert pricing and $10/mt from a MOPCO/Egypt sale late last week at $265/mt FOB.

Germany’s K+S Group today said it is driving to complete the sale of the Operating Unit Americas forward and is realigning the company. It said it will completely sell the Operating Unit Americas, in which the North and South American salt business is bundled. A sales agreement is expected before the end of this year.

The company said it will focus on the core business with mineral fertilizers and specialties and will continue to pursue the ongoing increases in efficiency and productivity.

The implementation of all measures will make it possible to reduce debt by well over EUR 2 billion over the next two years.

K+S has increased operating earnings (EBITDA) in the 2019 financial year by a moderate 6 percent to € 640 million. Group revenues remained almost stable in 2019 at just over € 4 billion.

Junior polyhalite miner Sirius Minerals said on March 3 that its plan to sell the company to Anglo American was approved by shareholders.

“The positive outcome from today’s meeting secures a return for shareholders, and provides greater certainty in terms of safeguarding the project, protecting the jobs of our employees, and allowing the community, region and the U.K. to continue to benefit from the project,” said Sirius Chairman Russell Scrimshaw.

Egyptian urea prices moved up again this week. MOPCO settled a 5,000 mt deal for April shipment at $260/mt FOB. The deal represents a $5/mt jump in just a few days.