New season fert is expensive
FERTILISER TRADING remains quiet at both farm and merchant level, so speculation has started over the opening price of ammonium nitrate on the domestic market.
It is thought that UK manufacturers would like to start at around £130/t delivered to the farm through merchant customers.
Merchants would naturally need to put a margin on this value, but already the speculated price is being translated to £130/t on farm.
While wholesalers claim this is too expensive, farmers seeing a £15/t increase over their last early season price feel it is much too dear.
Importers and industry analysts will be wondering why the suggested price is so low with global urea, ammonia and energy prices at an all time high.
Despite the high ammonia values, they still do not provide sufficient return over energy costs in some parts of the world.
Terra has announced that the mothballing of the 500,000t ammonia plant in Donaldsville, USA, will be permanent.
Product will now be delivered to that site by a supply deal with Yara, taking the equivalent of 1.5m tonnes of AN out of the global supply chain.
A spring price which seems at variance with global events is not new, as last season’s starting price also appeared low.
This time, more so than ever, the price will be strictly for a limited period as July published early prices are unlikely to extend beyond September.
CURRENT PRICES (£/t)
Great Britain
Straight | |
Domestic N (34.5%N) SP5 | Apr £149-151 |
Imported AN Lithuanian & Bulgarian | £138-142 where available |
Imported urea | £194 granular |
Liquid UAN | £142 |
TSP (47%P2O5) | £145 |
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 |
|
Aftercuts NK |
| £136 |
27.6.6 (imported) |
|
|
32.5.0 (imported) |
| £136-138 |
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
