Tampa: Sources said international prices continued to rise, fed by trader-led transactions in China. Molten spot tons were in high demand, with transactions reported at up to $60/lt above contract prices.
Though many place blame for the meteoric jump squarely on the shoulders of Chinese traders, prices have continued to rise as buyers seek to outbid Chinese traders in hopes of locking down some of that limited supply.
Still unknown is the effect that negotiations between phosphate and sulfur producers will have on prices. As skyrocketing sulfur prices collide with ever-declining phosphate margins, phosphate producers can only bend so far before market fundamentals step in and find a price sustainable to both industries.
The fourth-quarter price for molten sulfur delivered to Tampa was $75/lt.
U.S. Gulf: The price range for Gulf prill remained flat at $60-$70/mt FOB. That price could rapidly rise with the next few sales, however.
Vancouver: With even the largest firms experiencing substantial negative netbacks, Alberta producers expected to increase blocking in January if prices don’t begin to tick up.
The spot price range at Vancouver remained at $50-$70/mt FOB, but sellers were hoping for additional dollars in future sales.
West Coast: Sources reported rumblings of domestic price increases as upward pressure mounts from international transactions. West Coast traders, however, have yet to see end users accept the overseas price points that appeared to be as high as $120/mt.
Benelux: The fourth-quarter price range for Benelux was $108-$122/mt.
ADNOC: The November ADNOC price was $80/mt FOB, and $73/mt FOB at Qatar.