The Mosaic Co. reported on Oct. 3 that significant flooding and high winds were experienced throughout Central Florida during Hurricane Ian and caused modest damage to its phosphate facilities and supporting infrastructure.
However, the company said early assessments indicate that phosphate production could be down by approximately 200,000-250,000 mt, split roughly evenly between the third and fourth quarters of 2022. This could be valued as high as $190 million at Tampa based on current Florida phosphate export prices in Green Markets. Repairs are expected to be completed over the next 1-2 weeks.
While Mosaic plants were being repaired, the company was reported to be loading fertilizer again at Tampa, according to an Oct. 3 report by Bloomberg. The ship Basic Challenger returned to Mosaic’s terminal in Gibsonton, Fla., on the east side of Tampa Bay. The ship moved away from Tampa as the storm approached and moved back to the terminal, ship-tracking data showed.
In addition to production impacts, the timing of shipments was also affected by the storm. Phosphates sales volumes in the third quarter are now expected to total 1.60-1.65 million mt, as port and rail closures delayed late third-quarter shipments to October. Mosaic plans to provide further updates when it reports third-quarter results.
As Mosaic completes repairs, The Mosaic Co. Foundation is donating $100,000 to its most hard-hit operating areas. These funds will be used to support local recovery efforts in Florida’s Hardee, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Prior to hurricane season beginning, Mosaic provided $55,000 in storm preparation funds to organizations across Central Florida.
In addition, The Mosaic Co. Foundation contributed $300,000 to an Employee-to-Employee Assistance Fund. This fund will be dispersed to employees who need financial assistance with hurricane recovery efforts throughout Central Florida. The company will also double match any contributions made by Mosaic employees to this fund.
In other Ian fertilizer-related news, Sylvite Florida was able to return its two warehouses in Lakeland and Bartow, Fla., to operation this week after closing both locations on Sept. 27 in preparation for Ian, a company source told Green Markets. Both sites sustained minor roof damage and flooding from the storm, along with power outages, but no fertilizer materials were damaged.
Florida Fertilizer’s blending operation in Wauchula, Fla., was reportedly in Ian’s direct path. Industry sources said the site did not sustain major damage from the storm, but power outages prevented the facility from returning to operation early in the week. Efforts to reach Florida Fertilizer were unsuccessful at midweek.