Ammonium sulphate: International market trend of ammonium sulphate in the 4th week of October 2018
Source: Zhongyu Information Date: 2018-10-26 17:06:06
10.18-10.25 International Market Trends (from foreign sources)
Ammonium sulfate prices are supported by stable demand and limited supply. The German plant is shut down and the Baltic/Black Sea producers continue to focus on the local market rather than export. The lowest water level since the 1920s is disrupting the flow of ammonium sulfate, nitrate and raw materials from the Rhine.
Northwestern Europe: During the Argus European Fertilizer Conference held in Athens this week, the interest in purchasing standard ammonium sulfate began to emerge. This week began to discuss the number of contracts for 2019 and the number of deliveries for November/December. Domo’s caprolactam plant in Leuna has a capacity of 420,000 tons of ammonium sulphate and is restarted after several weeks of maintenance. The manufacturer plans to start delivery to German buyers in mid-November and will soon release a new price list. The price of standard ammonium sulfate sold to Brazil is maintained at $130-132/tonne FOB Northwest Europe. Prices for European buyers range from $140 to $148/ton FOB, depending on the quantity. Manufacturers that delivered in November continue to push prices up to $150/tonne FOB, but these levels have not yet been determined. The price of granules in Europe is maintained at 175-180 USD/ton FOB Northwest Europe, and some producers’ next price intention is 185 USD/ton FOB or even higher. Europe 2mm has reached 180 euros / ton FOB, equivalent to 205 US dollars / ton FOB, has not been accepted so far. Prices from Brazil are currently around $185/ton FOB. The producers are planning to ship the next shipment to Brazil for shipment in December. According to Benelux dealers, the recent 3mm granules are sold at a price of €215/tonne CIF inland. For new sales, sellers are looking for $230/ton CIF inland, equivalent to $220/ton fca port.
Turkey: Two large Turkish buyers are looking for ammonium sulphate. It is said that some loose credits combined with relatively high urea prices have led to renewed interest in ammonium sulphate imports. It is understood that a buyer is looking for up to 50,000 tons of standard ammonium sulfate from China.
Brazil: Producers and traders are trying to put the last batch of goods together for shipment in late November/early December in order to arrive in the safrinha season in time. Goods imported from China need to be shipped before the end of November. European suppliers can wait longer because of shorter transit times. Sales of premium Chinese granular ammonium sulphate have reached $190/tonne CFR. The higher quality Chinese ammonium sulphate price is at least $200/ton CFR. The latest price of European pellets is about $210/ton CFR. Depending on the time, the next price target for the manufacturer is between $215-230/dollar/ton CFR. Standard ammonium sulphate is stable at $150-155/tonne CFR, although some producers say the new price is $155-160/tonne CFR. The Brazilian port shows that as of mid-November, there were nearly 460,000 tons of ammonium sulphate among the 14 ships in the Brazilian port. China’s ammonium sulfate continues to account for more than 90% of the total. Dreymoor will load 43,000 tons of ammonium sulphate for Brazil this week in China. In mid-November, Lanxess will load 30,000 tons of standard and granular ammonium sulphate in Antwerp.
Mexico: Concerns over the investigation into China’s possible dumping of NK blends have made buyers want to close as early as possible, so buying interest has increased. Due to the lack of ammonia to maintain plant operation, domestic ammonium sulfate supply is tight. The importer expects to need 100,000 tons between November and January.
Mediterranean: Mediterranean buyers have ordered 10,000 tons of supplies from Northwestern Europe, and they are loaded in November at a price of 120 euros/ton FOB.
China: China’s caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate is maintained at US$116-119/tonne FOB China, and producers’ target is to reach US$118-120/tonne FOB in the next sale. This level has not been filled yet. Haili’s Jiangsu caprolactam plant has an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons and has been shut down for three weeks. Its Shandong installation will also be closed from the beginning of November.
Australia: Bulk China’s granular ammonium sulphate is shipped to Australia as a container at a price of approximately US$200/tonne CFR.
Philippines: Demand for November and December is beginning to emerge. A buyer is looking for 6000 goods delivered in November. The second buyer is looking for two 6,000 tons of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate, which was delivered to Poro Point in November and December.
