Overview
The ease of urea availability east and west of Suez has shaped the current trade flows of this key nitrogen fertilizer. Despite challenges posed by energy prices and military conflicts, key import markets such as India, Australia, and Latin America remain robust. But structural oversupply and the role of China as a swing exporter have led to price volatility as this fast-moving market seeks equilibrium, more so during seasonally high-demand periods.
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Latest nitrogen news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global nitrogen industry.
Dakota Gas' urea focus tied to demand, not DEF rules
Dakota Gas' urea focus tied to demand, not DEF rules
Houston, 30 April (Argus) — Dakota Gasification said it is prioritizing granular urea production over diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) because of a lack of fertilizer imports, indirectly rebutting US secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins' claim that the shift was prompted by recent federal guidance around DEF sensors. Responding to Rollins' comments, Dakota Gasification on Thursday told Argus that it is maximizing urea fertilizer production at its Beulah, North Dakota, nitrogen plant "due to lack of imports into the US and significant need domestically". The company's statement appears to contradict Rollins' assertion on 28 April that Dakota Gasification is raising urea production and reducing DEF output in reaction to 26 March guidance from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that diesel engines will no longer be required to have urea quality sensors (UQS). Her remarks came as she outlined for reporters the US government's efforts to address the fertilizer affordability crisis . A significant portion of domestic fertilizer imports come from the Mideast Gulf, and the supply shock resulting from the US-Iran war has increased the cost and reduced the availability of imports to the US. Since the war started at the end of February, urea at New Orleans, Louisiana, has risen by $159/st, or 24pc, to $629/st. That is $144/st above year-ago levels. Urea is also used to produce DEF, allowing nitrogen producers to choose between producing granular urea for agricultural use or for urea liquor for DEF. Argus Analytics does not expect the EPA guidance to reduce DEF demand . Diesel engines are still required to retain their NOx sensors. If an operator dilutes its DEF, the sensors will increase the engine's dosing rate to ensure tailpipe NOx emission requirements are still met, offsetting the reduced urea content in the DEF. By Calder Jett Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Egypt’s NCIC issues tender to sell fertilizers for May
Egypt’s NCIC issues tender to sell fertilizers for May
London, 30 April (Argus) — Egyptian producer NCIC has issued a tender to sell various fertilizers for loading in May, closing on 4 May. NCIC is offering the following: 30,000t of DAP — it sold 20,000t at up to $880/t fob in its 20 April tender 10,000t of TSP — it sold 10,000t at up to $695/t fob in its 20 April tender 30,000t of SSP — it sold 20,000t at $340-375/t fob Ain Sokhna in its 27 April tender 25,000t of urea — it sold 10,000t at up to $852/t fob Ain Sokhna in its 27 April tender 1,000t of water-soluble SOP — it sold 1,000t at up to $705/t bagged ex-works in its 20 April tender All cargoes will be ready at the port of loading on 7 May. Products will be priced on a fob basis, except for the SOP, which will be priced on an ex-works basis in 25kg bags from the Fayoum plant. Buyers must load cargoes within 27 days of the issuance of invoices. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Philippines' agriculture sector braces for El Nino
Philippines' agriculture sector braces for El Nino
Singapore, 30 April (Argus) — Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) is rolling out a preparedness plan to mitigate agricultural disruptions in the latter parts of 2026, when moderate-to-strong El Nino conditions are likely, the DA said in a 29 April press release. El Nino will bring warmer and drier weather to the country, reducing rainfall and in some cases causing drought that could undermine agricultural output. Drier conditions could curb fertilizer demand in the Philippines, one importer told Argus . Fertilizer application and offtake largely depend on rain, but reduced rainfall from El Nino may limit demand. The Philippines last faced a strong El Nino event in 2024, when drought cut rice output and supported the country's rice imports. It imported 4.8mn t of rice that year, which is the highest in at least the last decade and up by 32pc from 2023, according to Global Trade Tracker (GTT) data. Assessing current irrigation systems and identifying the most vulnerable areas would be an integral part of the DA's preparedness plan. It is also looking to ensure that sufficient drought-tolerant seed varieties and fertilizers are available to farmers, and provide irrigation support when needed, along with economic aid to farmers in terms of crop insurance, credit access and market facilitation. By Hui Xuan Lek Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Egypt’s NCIC sells SSP, urea in tender at firm prices
Egypt’s NCIC sells SSP, urea in tender at firm prices
London, 28 April (Argus) — Egyptian fertilizer producer NCIC has reported awarding its latest tender to sell SSP and urea , which closed on Monday. It reports the following awards: 20,000t of granular SSP at $340-375/t fob 10,000t of granular urea at up to $852/t fob The SSP is split between two buyers with 15,000t priced at the upper end of the range, bound for Australia, and 5,000t at the lower end for open destination. It had initially only offered 10,000t of SSP in the tender after offering 15,000t in a tender which closed on 20 April , without selling. The upper end of the price range is in line with NCIC's sale of 25,000t of SSP under a tender which closed on 4 April. NCIC says it sold the urea to a single buyer but did not specify the destination. It had initially only offered 7,000t in this latest tender, having awarded 3,000t out of the 10,000t offered in its 20 April tender at $830/t fob. All cargoes sold under this tender will load and ship from Ain Sokhna port on the Red Sea. No buy-side confirmation for the awards have yet emerged. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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