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Irish fertiliser at a standstill despite low price rise

- 10 January 2001
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By Roger Chesher


PRICE rises in the Irish Republic are the lowest in Europe and Northern Irelands are the second lowest.


Despite this, the 20-30 rise (in UK or Irish pounds) from last season has conspired with the absence of manufacturers credit to kill any early movement of fertiliser this season.


Early movement in Ireland is, however, somewhat artificial as it is usually into merchants stores.


Farm movement will not take place until March so prices currently quoted are still rather artificial.


Urea, when imported into the Province, could well be in excess of 150/t on-farm as the price of new cargoes is currently rocketing.


The on-farm price of 125/t for nitrogen in N Ireland equates to 166/t for AN in Britain, because CAN contains 26%N and 34.5% ammonium nitrate.


World prices of AN are shooting up, mirroring last weeks hike in urea prices.


This makes imports in the UK seem a good buy. Replacements for these stocks look to be inevitably higher.


Gas prices are to blame, so high in the USA apparently that home manufacturers cannot compete with imports and are closing their production.


Imports are therefore flooding into the States, giving rise to price increases globally.


Unplanted acres this appalling autumn have not only given rise to an estimated shortfall in demand of 100,000t of nitrogen for the spring, possibly holding the price down a little, but have also resulted in an excess of 0.24.24. and similar products on the market at keen prices.


These could present a useful opportunity for both grass and arable farmers.


CURRENT PRICES

















New-season nitrogen (SP5) 34.5%
Anticipated spring price nitrogen
Imported urea (if available)
Imported AN (new season)
Blended 20.10.10 and 25.0.16
Blended 25.5.5		 Liquid nitrogen, 37kg/100l or 29.6% N/t


January 130

February 132
March 134

Granular 140-144
Prilled 130
112
118-120 (March)
118-120
115-118
No market
























NPK
January, pay cash
February, pay cash
April, pay cash (forecast)

Complex 25.5.5
126
128
134

27N30S
132
134

20.10.10/29.5.5
129
131
137

17.17.17
146
148
152













After-cut NK cash
0.24.24
TSP (47% P2O5)
Muriate of Potash (60% K2O)

No market
114-116
126
115

 

IRELAND

















 
Imported urea

CAN


24.6.12


0.16.36


Complex compounds
27.6.6


Northern Ireland
Not available
120-125
140-150
No market
150















 

CAN

24.21/2.10

Urea, imported

27.21/2.5

Republic of Ireland*
150
185
Not available
182

*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

  • IR1=UK80.06p; US$1=UK67.02p on 10 January

     

    Note All illustrated prices are based on 20-tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.

    Source: Bridgewater Partnership

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