Fert prices slip
PATCHY DEMAND set against expectations of higher sales of grass fertilisers has led to further price discounts at the farm gate.
In some ways this natural response to supply and demand is surprising, as raw material costs are still high and the market does not seem to be particularly responsive to price cuts at the moment.
Nonetheless, for full loads delivered direct from factory to farm, ammonium nitrate has slipped below £150/t.
The spring price at the same time last year was £142-145/t so today (Apr 13) at £149/t the impact of this year’s massive hikes in gas costs does not appear as great as once feared.
Compounds are also some £2/t cheaper than last week, but the gap between complex compounds and blends has narrowed to around £8/t.
Most of the fertilisers which are classed as hazardous, approximately half of the market, are now delivered directly by the manufacturer to the farm.
These are the ones with a high content of ammonium nitrate, which is an oxidising agent.
Just in time deliveries and part loads therefore continue to impact the manufacturer as well as the merchant.
As yet, no one is prepared to commit or even speculate on new season nitrogen pricing.
CURRENT PRICES (£/t)
Great Britain
Straight | |
Domestic N (34.5%N) SP5 | Apr £149-151 |
Imported AN Lithuanian | £140 where available |
Imported urea | £175 granular (little available) |
Liquid UAN | £142 |
TSP (47%P2O5) | £149 |
Muriate of Potash(60%K2O) | £133 |
Compound | ||
| Complex | Blended |
25.5.5 | £148-150 | From £140 |
15.15.20 | £164-168 |
|
20.10.10 / 27.5.5 | £150-152 | From £142 |
17.17.17 | £169-173 |
|
0.24.24 |
| £126-135 (largely over) |
27.6.6 (imported) |
|
|
32.5.0 (imported) |
|
|
Trace elements | Copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt Iodine and sodium £11.10/acre pack |
Ireland
| Northern | Republic |
Urea | £200 (existing stocks only) | €270-280 (dependant on source and quality) |
| CAN | £140-145 | €200-210 |
24.6.12 | £170-175 (anticipated) | €240-250+ |
25.5.5 | £160-165 |
|
27.6.6 | £170-175 | €247-250+ (CCF) |
†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.
*Known as 24.2½.10 blend in the Republic of Ireland
**Known as 27.2½.5 in ROI
Note All illustrated prices are based upon 24 tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.
Source: Bridgewater
