Early buyers boost nitrogen business


By Roger Chesher


THE nitrogen market has become quite active as confidence in the wisdom of buying early grows, creating welcome queues of lorries at the factories and steadily diminishing stocks.


The three majors have, as expected, closed their July books and now operate on August prices of 110-112/t delivered on farm.


No September price is known as yet, but it would be reasonable to expect a further rise of 2/t, like last year.


As is usual in an active market, there are slightly keener prices to be found while merchants compete for volume.


Some are prepared to take a low margin, or chip in part of a bonus, but this only amounts to a pound or two.


A glance at the classified ads in FARMERS WEEKLY will find imported ammonium nitrate available off the dock at 88/t.


This is ex-stock, not newly arrived, and is available in significant tonnages down the East Coast and in South Wales.


The same material is offered by various merchants on farm delivered around 94/t.


Importers will have built stocks anticipating high volume, profitable sales this spring.


Following the significant downturn in that market, aggressive de-stocking is inevitable and provides the opportunity for a bargain.


New material is unlikely to be imported in significant amounts until older stock is cleared.


Sulphur is once more attracting interest following widespread reports by agronomists of heightened deficiencies.


The autumn PK market remains slow at present.


CURRENT PRICES


















New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5%

September domestic nitrogen

Imported urea (if available)

Imported AN

Blended 20.10.10 and 25.0.16

Blended 25.5.5
Liquid nitrogen, 37kg/100l or 29.6% N/t


August 110-112


Not published


Granular 118-120

88 ex-dock
94-98 delivered

116-117

113-115

No market



















NPK

July, pay cash

NS products

Complex 25.5.5

118-120

110-112

15.15.20

143


20.10.10/29.5.5

121


17.17.17

148













After-cut NK cash

0.24.24

TSP (47% P2O5) bagged

Muriate of Potash (60% K2O) bagged

118

110-114

125

122

 

IRELAND

Forecast spring prices
















 
Urea

CAN


24.6.12


0.16.36


Complex compounds
27.6.6


Northern Ireland

No market

110

130-135

No market

130















 

CAN


24.21/2.10


Urea, imported


27.21/2.5


Republic of Ireland*

140-145

175

No market

170-175

*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

  • IR1=UK78.18p; US$1=UK70.03p on 25 July

     

    Note All illustrated prices are based on 20-tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.

    Source: Bridgewater Partnership

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