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.

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