US Gulf:
NOLA potash barges remained flat at $390-$400/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Potash prices dropped again in the Eastern Cornbelt, to $435-$460/st FOB from last week’s $440-$480/st range, with the low confirmed at Cincinnati and the high out of inland warehouses.
Western Cornbelt:
Potash remained at $425-$445/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis. The St. Paul, Minn., market was pegged at the $460/st FOB level during the week.
California:
Potash pricing in California was steady at $605-$615/st FOB or DEL in late May.
Pacific Northwest:
Potash in the Pacific Northwest remained at $525-$540/st FOB, with reference pricing steady at $560/st FOB/DEL for 60% MOP and $570/st FOB/DEL for 62% MOP.
The last potash postings FOB Moab and Wendover, Utah, included $505/st for 60% white standard and $515/st for 60% white granular.
Western Canada:
Potash pricing for truck tons at the mine in Saskatchewan remained in the C$680-$695/mt FOB range, depending on grade.
India:
Imports of potash for January-March were counted at 360,00 mt, according to Trade Data Monitor, a48% decrease from 696,000 mt recorded in first-quarter 2022. March imports were 95,000 mt, up 39% from the year-ago 56,000 mt. Canada supplied 52,000 mt in April, followed by 42,000 mt from Turkmenistan.
China:
January-April potash imports firmed 20% year-over-year, Trade Data Monitor reported, to 3.5 million mt from 2.9 million mt. April imports were put at 940,000 mt, up 14% from 215,000 mt received in April 2022.
Laos registered as China’s fourth-largest potash supplier in April, sending 136,000 mt, a notable increase from the year-ago 47,000 mt. Laos is garnering a greater share of the Chinese potash market with its new potash facilities.
Brazil:
Potash prices keep falling. The latest move took levels to $330-$380/mt CFR, a drop of $20/mt from the previous week’s sales. Sources said that material from Belarus represents the lower end of the range, while the upper end is dominated by tonnage sourced from non-sanctioned countries.
The inland market price also continued to slide. Sources now put Rondonopolis at $470-$490/mt FOB ex-warehouse, off from $490-$500/mt FOB reported last week. There were unconfirmed reports of material from Belarus selling at $440/mt FOB. This price would fit with the $330/mt CFR noted from the receiving ports, although many inland sellers are refusing to accept this level. There was a push for $500/mt FOB pricing, but with no takers reported.