Good fertiliser buys as prices slip


By Mike Stickland


THERE are some good buys to be had at the moment; prices have slipped about £5/ t in the past couple of weeks. Although manufacturers and merchants have all been talking of spot buying rather than substantial orders, trade has been very thin.


Terra has gone out to seek business and has been very aggressive. Prices as low as £93/ t on the farm have been reported for Nitram, but a more general price for UK ammonium nitrate is about £98/ t for full loads. Part loads, of course, are much dearer.


At this time of year the manufacturers would dearly like to push up prices so that they can demonstrate a fall in price to induce new-seasons trade. It is hard to do this in such a weak market.


Importers with stocks of ammonium nitrate are trying hard to clear them, and in some areas there are real bargains at £85/ t or under. But the general trade is between £85 and £90/ t.


The main NK business was done this year at most competitive prices, but the trade that remains is being done in the mid £90s/ t. The blenders are having a thin time, with low demand and low prices. 20-10-10 is being offered at about £106/ t.

Fertiliser prices, May 1998 (£/t) (updated monthly)




















Region Domestic ANImported AN 20-20-10
Blend
25-0-16
South East98-10085-90103-10795-97
South West97-9984-90104-10893-97
East Anglia93-10085-89105-10894-97
Midlands98-10085-90105-10994-98
Wales99-10186-91106-11094-98
North East97-10084-90104-10894-97
North West99-10185-90105-11094-99
Scotland97-10085-90105-11094-99


  • Source: Britannia Fertiliser Brokers and Consultants

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