Ameropa taps Zacharias to serve as CEO
Swiss agribusiness Ameropa has tapped fertilizer subsidiary head Josh Zacharias to serve as chief executive starting today.
Zacharia succeeds former chief executive William Dujardin, who resigned 30 November for personal reasons after nearly four years in the role.
Zacharias was promoted from chief executive of Ameropa's subsidiary Azomures, a nitrogen fertilizer producer in Romania.
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Pakistan's ECC approves urea imports of 200,000t
Pakistan's ECC approves urea imports of 200,000t
Amsterdam, 8 May (Argus) — Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) met on 7 May and has approved the import of 200,000t of urea for the Kharif summer season. The ECC did not disclose an exact timeline, but a tender will have to be issued shortly if the imports are to meet demand in Kharif, which runs from April to September with demand peaking in June-July. Pakistan occasionally enters the import market to plug supply gaps in key consumption periods. State-owned importer TCP previously agreed a deal with Azerbaijan's state-owned Socar in early December last year to source 200,000t of urea for arrival by 20 January. Domestic supplier Engro began maintenance at its 1.3mn t/yr granular urea Enven plant towards the end of April and is expected to return to production in mid-June. Pakistan's urea inventories started April at around 170,000t, but are set to be under significant pressure in June-July, data from the country's national fertilizer development centre (NFDC) show. Demand is set to hit over 800,000t in June and around 650,000t in July, outstripping typical domestic output of 520,000-555,000 t/month in the peak summer months. This has prompted the need for imports, given current stock levels. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chile’s 1Q24 sulacid imports drop 19pc on port closures
Chile’s 1Q24 sulacid imports drop 19pc on port closures
London, 7 May (Argus) — Chile's sulphuric acid imports in the first quarter fell by 19pc on the previous quarter owing to heavy swells at Mejillones port. A total of 875,000t of sulphuric acid was imported in January-March, down by 19pc from 1.08mn t in October-December last year, GTT data show. They were also down by 15pc on the year. The drop was mainly down to heavy disruption at Mejillones, Chile's main import hub for sulphuric acid. The port, which hosts three sulphuric acid discharge terminals, was shut for a record 40 days in January-March owing to heavy swells. The port closures led to lengthy waiting times to discharge, with some ships experiencing nearly 3-4 weeks from arrival at the port, which resulted in high demurrage costs and a lack of spot demand. China regained its position as the key supplier to Chile, with imports rising by 19pc to 342,200t in the quarter, as Asian-origin cargoes looked economically viable owing to sliding fob values, while freight rates remained firm. Imports from South Korea rose by 34pc on the quarter to 145,300t, while Japanese shipments rose by 14pc to 114,300t. Chinese fob values averaged $16/t on a midpoint basis during the quarter, down from $32/t fob on a midpoint basis in the fourth quarter of last year. South Korea/Japanese fob values averaged $8/t on a midpoint basis during the first quarter, down from $31/t the previous quarter. Imports from neighbouring Peru dropped by 34pc on the quarter on a combination of logistical issues stemming from the congestion at Mejillones and some unplanned output issues faced earlier in the year by a supplier in Peru. Imports from European countries continued to slow in the first quarter, falling by nearly 60pc on the prior quarter, as heavy buying by key Moroccan buyer OCP and transport restrictions through the Panama Canal affected trade flows. Belgium was the largest European supplier to Chile, shipping 33,000t, compared with 86,000t the previous quarter. By Lili Minton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil unlocks relief spending to flooded state
Brazil unlocks relief spending to flooded state
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree to ease relief spending to Rio Grande do Sul state, which has been hit with historically heavy rainfall and floods. "We are going to do everything in our power to contribute to Rio Grande do Sul's recovery," he said today after signing the decree, adding that was only the first of "a large number of acts" for the state. The decree recognizes the state of emergency in Rio Grande do Sul and allows the federal government to grant funding and tax waivers to the state without having to comply with spending limits. In addition, it makes rules for public authorities to contract services and purchase products more flexible. The decree still needs both senate and congressional approval — which should be hasty, as both the senate and house leaders were present at the decree's signing. It is still not clear how much money it will take to rebuild the state, chief of staff Rui Costa and planning minister Simone Tebet said. But the minister of regional integration Waldez Goez estimated that it will take around R1bn ($200mn) to rebuild the state's highways. Rio Grande do Sul has been hit with heavy rainfall since 29 April. The highest volumes reached the central areas of Rio Grande do Sul, with cities receiving rainfall of 150-500mm (6-20 inches), regional rural agency Emater-RS data show. The monitoring station of Restinga Seca city, in the center of the state, recorded rainfall of about 540mm. Rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul overall surpassed 135mm in most of the state, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). State capital Porto Alegre is expected to receive more rain later this week, according to Rio Grande do Sul-based weather forecaster MetSul. MetSul warned that parts of the Porto Alegre metropolitan area could remain uninhabitable for weeks or months. The floods have left at least 83 dead and 111 missing, according to the state government. An additional 130,000 people have been displaced from their homes. By Lucas Parolin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil lowers biofuel mix in flooded state
Brazil lowers biofuel mix in flooded state
Sao Paulo, 6 May (Argus) — Brazil's oil regulator ANP temporarily decreased the mandatory mix of ethanol and biodiesel in fuels in Rio Grande do Sul state for 30 days, starting on 3 May, amid floods in the region. The anhydrous ethanol blend on gasoline was lowered to 21pc from the current 27pc, while the mandatory biodiesel mix for 10ppm (S10) diesel is now at 2pc, down from the usual 14pc. The agency also temporarily suspended the blending mandate for diesel with 500ppm of sulfur (S500). ANP said it can revise deadlines depending on supply conditions in the state. Rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul blocked railways and highways where biofuels are transported to retail hubs, such as Esteio and Canoas. Supply of fossil fuels via pipeline from the 201,000 b/d Alberto Pasqualini refinery (Refap), in Canoas, and other retail bases has not been compromised, ANP said. Floods in Rio Grande do Sul have left at least 83 dead and 111 missing, according to the state government. More than 23,000 people have been forced from of their homes amid widespread damage. Over 330 cities are in a situation of public calamity. By Laura Guedes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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