Tampa: Late last week, the Mosaic Co. and PotashCorp completed contracts with all of their sulfur suppliers for new fourth-quarter contract prices, which were down $20/lt from the previous quarter, falling from $95/lt to $75/lt DEL to Tampa. The price change was retroactive to Oct. 1.
The price decline for the fourth quarter was in line with world prices, which have deteriorated sharply during the previous two quarters.
The U.S. Department of Energy was able to post new refinery capacity operating rates last week, despite the federal government shutdown. Refinery rates were put at 86 percent, compared with 86.7 percent a year ago, but higher than the five-year average of 83.19 percent.
Capacity rates were not available the previous week.
U.S. Gulf: The price for Gulf prill was unchanged last week at $60-$65/mt FOB, but exports have fallen off during the past few months. Less was going to prillers, which was boosting supplies of molten sulfur to Tampa, which in turn helped push the Tampa delivered molten price down for the fourth quarter. Gulf prices may decline with the next sale.
Vancouver: Sulfur prices at Vancouver remained in the $50-$70/mt FOB range last week. Sulfur coming from Alberta to the U.S. will likely decline $20/lt in relation to the new Tampa molten price.
Sulfur from oilseeds production will be blocked, but sulfur going to Vancouver will continue to be priced in relation to that market. The impact on Vancouver pricing due to the decrease in the Tampa price was not clear.
West Coast: Sulfur prices on the West Coast were still in line with Vancouver, and remained in the $53-$73/mt FOB range. That may change during the next week or so, however.
Benelux: The Benelux price range for the third quarter was $140-$155/mt. A new fourth-quarter price had not been set as of late last week.
ADNOC: The ADNOC price for October was set at $70/mt FOB, down from the previous month’s $80/mt FOB. The price for November was posted at $60/mt FOB.