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.
