Fertiliser price rise held over to January
By Roger Chesher
OFFICIAL ratification of the anti-dumping levy on Russian ammonium nitrate has still not been given.
But the feeling in the marketplace is that it is just a matter of time before the rubber stamp is applied.
Although the amount of nitrogen affected by this decision is extremely small, the hiatus gives players an excuse for the fact that sales are still slow, and that farmgate prices for imports after Christmas are generally not available.
With the majors still hoping for business before Christmas, the current (November) price has been run on into December for both nitrogen and compounds.
The anticipated 2/t rise per month still looks likely from January onwards.
The result is that deliveries to farm are picking up, but not yet in sufficient volume to forestall the fear of logistical problems during the usage period.
Meanwhile, Hydro has taken another step towards its goal of becoming a major player in the market for speciality fertilisers by signing an agreement to market its products in Chile.
At the same time, non-core activities within the Hydro agri group are being sold off.
New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5% | December 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 |
November 110-113 | 110-113 | Granular 115-120 | New season; around 99-103 Spring 105 |
113 | 107 | 120 |
NPK | November | NS products |
Complex 25.5.5 | 113 | 117 |
15.15.20 | 134 | |
20.10.10/29.5.5 | 119-120 | |
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