US Gulf:
NOLA potash barges continued to soften, slipping to $585-$600/st FOB from the week-ago $610-$620/st FOB range. Despite the continued downward trend, sellers were optimistic that prices would stabilize as demand starts up after the harvest season progresses.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The potash market was quoted at $695-$725/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, down from $700-$725/st FOB at last report. Warehouse pricing at Cincinnati reportedly slipped to the $695-$700/st FOB level, with the Ottawa market reported at the $700/st FOB mark at midweek.
Western Cornbelt:
Potash pricing fell to $685-$705/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, down another $15-$20/st from last report, with the St. Louis market pegged at $685-$700/st FOB for new offers
Southern Plains:
Potash pricing in the Southern Plains slipped to $690-$705/st FOB, down significantly from the last confirmed $720-$730/st FOB range, with the low at Catoosa/Inola and the high at Houston.
The last official potash postings from Intrepid FOB Carlsbad, N.M., remained at $855/st for 60% white granular and $875/st FOB for 62% white standard.
South Central:
Potash pricing in the South Central region slipped to $695-$705/st FOB, down from the last reported $720-$745/st FOB range.
Southeast:
Potash in the Southeast remained at $760/st FOB Wilmington, N.C., based on list prices, with rail-DEL pricing quoted in the $775-$780/st range.
China:
Imports of MOP for January-August 2022 were reported at 5.5 million mt by Trade Data Monitor, equaling the import numbers for the same period in 2021. Canada, Russia, and Belarus were the dominant suppliers, each sending 1.4-1.5 million mt during the period.
August 2022 imports were reported at 766,000 mt, doubling the August 2021 imports of 383,000 mt. Canadian MOP accounted for 40% of the market, with 309,000 mt. Belarus came in second with 186,000 mt, followed by Russia with 144,000 mt.
India:
Imports of MOP for January-July 2022 were reported at 1.7 million mt by Trade Data Monitor, down 16% from the 1.99 million mt imported during the same period in 2021. Canada supplied 541,000 mt of the imports, followed by Belarus with 384,000 mt, and Israel with 366,000 mt.
July 2022 imports of MOP were reported at 235,000 mt, up marginally from the 232,000 mt imported during July 2021. Canada accounted for 75% of the imports with 176,000 mt. Israel took the rest of the market with 59,000 mt.
Brazil:
Prices for MOP dropped to $650-$680/mt CFR as limited buying interest met high stockpiles. Sources added that reports of more Belarus product coming into Brazil, at possibly discounted prices because of the sanctions against that country, appear to have added to the downward pressure on pricing. Sellers pushed back, however, noting that very few vessels lined up to enter Brazilian ports are carrying potash.
Rondonopolis reported prices down to $770-$840/mt FOB. As with the landed price, an excess of material and limited demand is pushing pricing levels down.