Harvest stalls fertiliser market
A HARVEST HIATUS has fallen upon the fertiliser market as farmers are unable, or unwilling, to take delivery of earlier ordered material and free up space for new stocks.
New orders for nitrogen cannot be taken until December or even January when the farm gate price should be £143-£145/t.
As the weather improves and holds, traders‘ gloom concerning potential UK fertiliser market size has dissipated somewhat.
But if supply is as restricted as we are led to believe, market size becomes less relevant.
History shows that the market always finds a balance with no one going short of fertiliser, but undoubtedly, this year, it will be at a significant cost
The compound market is yet to get underway and despite some price confusion earlier in the week, NPK costs remain stable.
We should see the grassland farmer enter the market soon seeking grazing and silage compounds to put into store.
This is likely to herald price changes, unfortunately in an upward direction.
Kemira should be fully on stream later this week (w/e Sept 17) following the problems at its factory near Chester.
This will contribute significantly towards freeing up the bottleneck in domestic supplies of ammonium nitrate.
More changes within Kemira GrowHow continue to streamline the organisation in anticipation of a flotation from Kemira Oyj, its Finnish parent.
Nitrogen (Domestic) N (SP5) 34.5% | New season | Imported urea. | Imported AN Lithuan | Blended | Blended | Liquid | |||||||||||
December £143-5 | No supply | £175 | £130 | £127 | From £124 | No market yet | |||||||||||
NPK | Sept | Imported 27.6.6 | Imported | |||||||||
Complex 25.5.5 | £134 | No supplies | No supplies | |||||||||
15.15.20 | £153 |
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20.10.10/ 27.5.5 | £137 |
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17.17.17 | £158 |
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| Trace elements | 0.24.24 | TSP (47%P2O5) | Muriate of Potash (60%K2O) |
| Copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt Iodine and sodium Per acre pack £11.10 | Blended £130-5 | £140 rising | £129 |
Ireland
Benchmark prices. Compounds out of season.
Northern | Urea, existing stocks only | CAN | 24.6.12 aftercut | 25.5.5
| Complex compounds |
| £155-£160 | £130-£134 | £160 (anticipated) | £150-£152 | £160-£162 |
Republic of | CAN, large price variations | 24.2½.10 blend | Urea | 27. 2.5 . 5 | |
| €195 | €190-210 (Russian) €225-240 | €200-250 (dependant on source and quality) | €243 (CCF) €200 import blend | |
*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.
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
