Fertilizers
Overview
The fertilizer industry has seen dramatic changes in market dynamics, with challenges posed by policy and regulatory changes, political instability, conflicts and new macroeconomic realities. The drive towards energy transition and ambitious zero-carbon goals has also opened up the industry to new entrants and new opportunities.
It is more vital than ever for market participants to have the full picture – to capitalise on the opportunities and manage the risk of the challenges.
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Latest fertilizer news
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Middle East granular urea sold in high $410s/t fob
Middle East granular urea sold in high $410s/t fob
Amsterdam, 7 January (Argus) — Fertilizer producer Qatarenergy is understood to have sold 45,000t of granular urea in the high-$410s/t fob for loading in February, up by around $20/t on business last week. The deal took place under a tender earlier on Wednesday. But there was no comment from the parties involved. International urea prices are firming as the market digests an ongoing major buy tender in India , with trading firms anticipating further rises east of Suez, largely driven by demand from India and Australia. Southeast Asian granular urea also traded up to $410-415/t fob earlier on Wednesday . By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Viewpoint: Asia energy storage to accelerate in 2026
Viewpoint: Asia energy storage to accelerate in 2026
Singapore, 7 January (Argus) — Stronger government signals and new industry initiatives to support energy storage systems (ESS) in Asia-Pacific are set to accelerate deployments, creating ripple effects across the battery and lithium market in 2026 as participants eye a new growth engine. ESS deployment remains uneven across Asia-Pacific. China accounts for 88pc of the region's 85GW capacity in 2024, according to industry group Energy Institute. The remainder is concentrated mainly in Australia and South Korea. These countries aim to scale up ESS buildout further. China is targeting 180GW of capacity by 2027, while South Korea plans to reach 2.22GW capacity by 2029. Australia has committed A$500mn ($337.75mn) to expanding local battery manufacturing. Other Asian nations are also picking up pace. Vietnam is targeting up to 16.3GW of ESS by 2030, while Malaysia launched its first 400MW auction this year. Governments are increasingly supporting integrated renewables and battery projects. India and the Philippines awarded such projects this year; Australia is auctioning dispatchable clean power contracts , and Malaysia intends to do this year, according to lawmakers. "In Asia-Pacific, while spot markets exist in some jurisdictions, most markets still lack mature price signals and ancillary service frameworks needed for merchant energy storage investment," nonprofit EnergyTag's Asia Pacific head Shailesh Telang told Argus . ESS deployment is still primarily backed by tenders, subsidies, regulated tariffs, or state-supported procurement, Telang noted. "Over time, market forces can take over, but today policy remains the primary driver," he said. Industry initiatives could further support growth. Regional advocacy group Fessia launched in September and will initially focus on smoothing policy for ESS deployment and bankability in Vietnam and the Philippines. Corporate standard-setter Greenhouse Gas Protocol is also consulting on switching from annual to hourly matching of clean power purchases . The requirement could spur demand for nighttime clean energy — and, in turn, batteries. But the clause is hotly debated and could feature leeway for smaller industries and emerging economies. Meanwhile, the South Korean government's first ESS central contract market auction in 2025 drew intense interest, selecting eight operators out of 51 proposals for 563MW of ESS capacity — largely concentrated on the mainland. A second auction round followed later. South Korea's ESS momentum, driven by its 2029 capacity target, aligns with domestic battery makers' pivot from electric vehicles. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution's (LGES) plans to produce lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) ESS batteries domestically, citing the domestic energy ecosystem, starting with 1GWh. South Korean battery makers' ESS focus will likely intensify as the US EV market slows. Leading firms such as Samsung SDI, LGES, and SK On have all redirected resources to tap the ESS market, particularly in the US, given the data centre and renewable energy build-out. Their once EV-dedicated lines are increasingly repurposed to produce ESS as EV market uncertainty lingers. LFP reality sets in Chinese-dominated LFP chemistry continues to see surging adoption in South Korea , which has firmly stepped into the space and closed multiple LFP ESS supply deals in 2025. But China's dominant position in LFP still appears immovable, thanks partly to the scale of its domestic ESS and EV markets. The Chinese government is on track to more than double its new energy storage capacity to 180GW by the end of 2027 from 2024, it said in an action plan . Strong growth persists among Chinese domestic energy storage firms such as Eve Energy, Cornex, Envision, Great Power Energy and Technology, and Hithium, commented a Chinese battery recycler — though the sector remains overshadowed by industry giant CATL. Anticipation of robust ESS growth in China for 2026 — where Argus heard estimates between 30-100pc across multiple analysts and market participants — reflects varying degrees of optimism. Yet, one consensus stands out among market participants: ESS growth is confirmed and is dominating lithium market discussions near the end of 2025, supporting lithium prices and injecting fresh hope for market expansion. By Joseph Ho and Liang Lei Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Nutrien, Terrena agree on ferts units deal in Brazil
Nutrien, Terrena agree on ferts units deal in Brazil
Sao Paulo, 6 January (Argus) — Brazil's fertilizer company Terrena Agronegocios said today it would acquire two fertilizer blending units in Brazil from Canada-based fertilizer producer Nutrien. Terrena will take over the units — located in Araxa, Minas Gerais state, and Cristalina, Goias state — which have a combined capacity of 400,000 metric tonnes (t)/year of NPK blends. The acquisition is part of Terrena Agronegocios' strategy to expand production capacity in key regions, it said. Nutrien did not reply to Argus' request for comment. Nutrien stopped operations at both plants in June 2024 , and also stopped operations in its 750,000 t/yr blending unit in Itapetininga in southeastern Sao Paulo state. That facility was sold in July 2025 to Grupo Equilibrio. Nutrien started to discontinue blending operations as part of its global business optimization strategy. The Canadian company said it would keep selling agricultural inputs and solutions to Brazilian producers through its resale system. Nutrien also has a 450,000 t/yr unit in Alfenas and a 200,000 t/yr unit in Morrinhos, in Minas Gerais and Goias, respectively. The acquisition is still subject to the Brazilian antitrust watchdog Cade approval. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. By Bruno Castro Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Petrobras resumes operations at Fafen in Sergipe
Petrobras resumes operations at Fafen in Sergipe
Sao Paulo, 6 January (Argus) — State-controlled Petrobras has resumed operations at the Fabrica de Fertilizantes Nitrogenados (Fafen), a nitrogen fertilizer plant located in Laranjeiras city in northeastern Sergipe state, ending a 21-month halt in production. The announcement was made by Petrobras's president Magda Chambriard on social media and confirmed by Sergipe government. Fafen Sergipe restarted ammonia production on 31 December, marking the resumption of operations. The unit can produce up to 650,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr of urea, 450,000 t/yr of ammonia, and 320,000 t/yr of ammonium sulphate. Operations in Fafen Sergipe had been idled since March 2024, when it was managed by the Brazilian chemical company Unigel, which also managed Fafen operations in Camacari in northeastern Bahia state. Unigel, facing financial difficulties, has twice filed for bankruptcy protection . Because of this and in line with Petrobras's strategic plan to invest in the fertilizer sector, the company began the process of regaining control of Fafens in April 2025. Petrobras in September signed a contract with Brazilian industrial maintenance and management company Engeman to restart operations at Fafens. By João Petrini Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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