Early-buyers market as compound prices rise
By Roger Chesher
AN expected adjustment in compound fertiliser prices has been slow to materialise but is finally happening.
New terms for the main grass products were announced this week by the main players, Kemira and Hydro but a little discounting, particularly in the south-west means that the market is still somewhat fluid.
However, a firming of prices is expected in days rather than weeks.
This marks the start of the new compound season and, like the nitrogen market, there is every sign that this will be an early-buyers market.
The majors anticipate a significant volume of business before Christmas.
Prices, published for November and December, cash only, would put 25.5.5 on farm at 117-118 in November with an increase of 2 in November.
20.10.10 is 120-121 plus 2 for December, 17.17.17 is 139-140 and 15.15.20 sells at 134-135 for November.
Sulphur prices come into play in December with 28.5.5.+6S03 at 127.
With incentives on price encouraging purchase before Christmas and the knowledge that external factors such as increased levies on some imports will only serve to firm prices after the holiday, nitrogen sales are buoyant.
The important message, however, is that of the underlying trend.
Fertiliser is more expensive now than it was at the start of the season; it will be more expensive in the spring.
It remains an early-buyers market.
New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5% | November 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 |
October 111-113 | No published price; expected 116-118 | Granular 115-120 | New season; around 100-104 |
110 | 107 | 120 |
NPK | November | NS products |
Complex 25.5.5 | 117 | 117 |
15.15.20 | 134 | |
20.10.10/29.5.5 | 120-121 | |
17.17.17 | 139-140 |
After-cut NK cash | 0.24.24 | TSP (47% P2O5) bagged | Muriate of Potash (60% K2O) bagged |
110-115 – market virtually over | 112-114 | 125 | 122 |
IRELAND CAN 24.6.12 0.16.36 Complex compounds
Forecast prices
Urea
27.6.6
Northern Ireland
No market
105
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