Fertiliser producers continue price campaign
ANOTHER very quiet week for deliveries underlines the determination of the major producers to get prices in line with their published terms.
This is beginning to cause frustration in some quarters, as the few merchants who have continued to quote prices below £85/t delivered are unable to purchase supplies at low enough prices.
Unlike last year, there is no “trust” business at all. (Trust is where fertiliser is delivered on-farm and the price is settled later)
At the same time, the lack of business is failing to stimulate imports, either in nitrogen or in P and K for the forthcoming autumn seedbed market.
Recent investment in storage capacity is now paying off for the manufacturers, who are able to continue to run without expensive shutdowns, but are not forced to sell at uneconomic prices.
Kemira has taken space at the adjacent, now disused Ince “B” power station and Terra is said to be increasing its storage capacity at Billingham.
Meanwhile the harvest, which started so promisingly, has been seriously hindered by rain, giving arable farmers even less incentive to spend money.
Rain has given mid-season grazing a little boost, however, and the spot market for 20.10.10, 25.5.5, etc has increased, but only slightly. Prices for these grassland products remain the same.
CURRENT MARKETS
IRELAND CAN 27.6.6 complex 25.5.5 complex 24.6.12 complex CAN 27.21/2.5 18.6.12 10.10.20
Immediate delivery N
Post-harvest delivery N
September delivery N
Imported urea
Imported N deliver December
Imported 0.26.26
Domestic 0.24.24 blended
Liquid N, 37kg/100l or 29.6% N/t
£85
£92-95 dependent on month
£89-90
£93 granular/
£85 prilled
£73
£121-122
£114-115
£95/100,000 litres or £76/t
Imported CAN
Northern Ireland
85
88-90
124-128
112-117
120-123
Republic of Ireland*
99-104
137-143
140-147
No market
*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£
FORTHCOMING MARKETS
Anticipated general prices post-harvest
N/S (High S) | N/S (Low S) | TSP (47% P2O5) | Muriate of Potash (60% K2O) | PK 0.24.24 |
92 | 92 | 130 | 117 | 120 |
BACKGROUND MARKET Products not currently traded in volume. *Complex fertilisers are those where typically all nutrients are combined in one granule.
Some spot business in grass sectors.
20.10.10 and 25.5.5 complex/blend*
KN
KNS
20.5.15
England/Wales Grassland Markets
105-110/100-105
90-95
90-95
90-95
England Arable Markets
No Market
93-96
93-96
93-96
Scotland
108-112/103-108
90-95
90-95
90-95
15.15.20
17.17.17
130-135
135-140
Note All illustrated prices are based upon 20 tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.
Source: Bridgewater Associates