Russian ammonium nitrate levy in three weeks?
By Roger Chesher
THERE is still no news from Brussels about ratification of the anti-dumping levy on Russian ammonium nitrate.
This is now anticipated in the second week of January and the indecision is causing problems, particularly among importers.
The European Fertiliser Manufacturers Association (EFMA) is still confident that ratification will take place as originally expected.
But irrespective of this, it is time to take a practical view over the substantial market still remaining for nitrogen.
Next week the industry closes down for Christmas and New Year.
There will be no opportunity for serious fertiliser trading until early January, and then its only three weeks or so until the top dressing season.
Even if we were to speculate that the anti dumping levy were not ratified, it is too late to think that prices could go down, or even stay static.
Prices are hardening irrespective of levies, as gas prices are increasing, and imports already here are attracting storage charges.
Prices will rise by at least 2/t a month from January onwards.
On top of all that, a logistical nightmare looms.
There is no real shortage of product, but there will be difficulty in getting the right product to the right place at the right time.
New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5% | January domestic nitrogen | Imported urea | Imported AN |
Blended 20.10.10 and 25.0.16 | Blended 25.5.5 | Liquid nitrogen, 37kg/100l or 29.6% N/t |
December 110-113 | 115 | Prilled 124 | 102-103 |
113 | 107 | 120 |
NPK | December | NS products |
Complex 25.5.5 | 113 | 117 |
15.15.20 | 134 | |
20.10.10/29.5.5 | 120 | |
17.17.17 | 139-140 |
After-cut NK cash | 0.24.24 | TSP (47% P2O5) bagged | Muriate of Potash (60% K2O) bagged |
No market | 112-114; market virtually over | 125 | 122 |
IRELAND CAN 24.6.12 0.16.36 Complex compounds
Forecast prices
Urea
27.6.6
Northern Ireland
No market
98
122-125
130
124
CAN | 24.21/2.10 | Urea, imported | 27.21/2.5 | |
Republic of Ireland* | 130-140 | No market | No market | 150 |
*Note in the Republic of Ireland nutrients are expressed as elements not oxides. Analyses will not be directly comparable with those used in the UK.
*Prices in the Republic are IR
Note All illustrated prices are based on 24-tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.
Source: Bridgewater Partnership