Fertiliser trade goes slack

AS harvest continues with better reports of yield and quality than last week, the fertiliser market moves into one of its traditionally quieter periods.

But in this business, nothing remains the same. This year volumes are down, as the “big three” remain steadfast in their determination to achieve structure in the market.

Although some farm-gate business has undoubtedly been done below the £87 level, it is widely considered that this is not supported by the manufacturers, thus placing the funding of any discount squarely with the merchant.

Imports are reported at £75-78 for AN on-farm, £85 for urea prills in bags and £95 for granular urea.

NS and NPK products for top dressing will shortly be entering the marketplace. Their prices will only be fully determined when the nitrogen market settles down.

NPK product ranges such as Hydro Incrop and Kemira M24 are alternatives to autumn seedbed fertilising for winter crops. These prices must also be determined soon, as farmers turn to the autumn PK market.

Projected prices for 0.25 25 are still remarkably stable at £118-120, but business is light.

Autumn PKs still dominate the winter crop market, with spring NPK top dressing, liquids and straights as alternatives. Triple super phosphate (TSP) is currently available at £130 bagged on-farm, with Muriate of Potash more variable around £116-117.

At these prices, the cost of achieving a similar analysis to 0.25.25 by using straights is almost identical.

Only by buying large quantities in bulk can savings be made and, with fertiliser spreading costed at £7.25/ha (Nix), one would have to think very carefully about which path to take. P>

CURRENT MARKETS

NITROGEN