Overview

The global market for compound NPKs is one of the most important and dynamic markets in the fertilizer sector. Around 20pc of a total market of over 100mn t was traded between countries in 2023. This traded volume is growing relatively quickly, with an increasing number of fertilizer producers entering the market or expanding their supply base to meet demand from a rising number of buyers. Growth from consumers is well founded on fundamentals. Farmers are under ever-increasing pressure to improve their yields and crop quality, and to use fertilizers efficiently, not only to manage costs but to limit potential environmental losses.

Greater agricultural sophistication is bringing an increasing variety of grades to the market. Producers are also striving to move from commodity grades, such as 15-15-15, to more specific formulations (often tailored to specific customer needs) to increase nutrient-use efficiency and capture market share. 

The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has also seen major shifts in trade flows, given Russia’s significant compound-NPK capacity, and Russian-origin product has long been seen as a benchmark for high-quality NPKs. Russian exports have been seen shifting from Europe to India, and this is reflected in NPK & NPS grades and trade.

Argus has decades of experience covering the NPKs market. We incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including nitrogen, phosphates, potash and sulphur to provide the full market narrative.

Argus support market participants with:

  • Weekly NPKs price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
  • Bespoke consulting project support

Latest NPKs news

Browse the latest market moving news on the global NPKs industry.

Latest NPKs news

India's Fact raises volume sought in NPS tender


23/09/24
Latest NPKs news
23/09/24

India's Fact raises volume sought in NPS tender

London, 23 September (Argus) — Indian fertiliser importer Fact has raised the quantity of 20-20-0+13S it is seeking under a tender by 10,000t to 50,000t. The tender is to close on 25 September. Fact had originally sought two 20,000t cargoes of 20-20-0+13S, one cargo each for delivery to Kakinada and Tuticorin. The total volume sought has now been raised to 50,000t. The minimum quantity for either port should not fall below 20,000t, Fact said. The company continues to seek an arrival laycan for both cargoes of 1-31 December. By David Maher Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest NPKs news

Kenya's NCPB receives offers in fertilizer tender


19/09/24
Latest NPKs news
19/09/24

Kenya's NCPB receives offers in fertilizer tender

Istanbul, 19 September (Argus) — Kenya's NCPB has received offers against its 19 September buy tender for 245,000t of various fertilizers for the 2024-25 season under the country's fertilizer subsidy programme. There were 19 offers of 25-5-5, all within a range of 3,750-5,500 Kenyan shillings/50kg bag, equivalent to $581-852/t. There were also 19 offers of 17-17-17, ranging from KSh3,800-5,800/50kg bag. The NCPB received 23 offers of urea at KSh3,400-6,000/50kg bag, 12 offers of amsul ranging from KSh2,800-5,400/50kg bag, and 18 offers of CAN in a range of KSh2,875-4,250/50kg bag. The offers were on the basis of deliveries to NCPB depots. The tender requested the following products: 25,000t urea (500,000 x 50kg bags) 40,000t CAN 26 (800,000 x 50kg bags) 5,000t amsul (100,000 x 50kg bags) 15,000t 17-17-17 (300,000 x 50kg bags) 15,000t 25-5-5 (300,000 x 50kg bags) 35,000t 23-23-0 (700,000 x 50kg bags) 10,000t crop-specific NPK fertilizer for top dressing with a minimum nitrogen nutrient content of 26pc plus other micronutrients (200,000 x 50kg bags) 70,000t crop-specific NPK fertilizer for planting with a minimum nitrogen nutrient content of 17pc and above, a minimum phosphorus content of 29pc and above, plus other micronutrients (1,400,000 x 50kg bags) 30,000t crop-specific NPK fertilizer for planting with a minimum nitrogen nutrient content of 9-16.99pc, a minimum phosphorus content of 22-28.99pc and above, plus other micronutrients (600,000 x 50kg bags) The NCPB said agreed contracts are renewable each season for a period of two years under the subsidy programme. The tender document also states that a supplier will not be awarded for the supply of more than two fertilizer types. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest NPKs news

Kenya's NCPB extends fertilizer tender


16/09/24
Latest NPKs news
16/09/24

Kenya's NCPB extends fertilizer tender

London, 16 September (Argus) — Kenya's NCPB has extended the closing date of its buy tender for 245,000t of various fertilizers for the 2024-25 season under the country's fertilizer subsidy programme to 19 September. The closing date had previously been set for 13 September. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest NPKs news

India's Fact issues tender to buy NPS


13/09/24
Latest NPKs news
13/09/24

India's Fact issues tender to buy NPS

London, 13 September (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer Fact has issued a tender to buy two 20,000t cargoes of 20-20-0+13S. The tender closes on 25 September. Fact requests delivery of one cargo to Kakinada and the other to Tuticorin, both on India's east coast. The firm seeks an arrival laycan for both cargoes of 1-31 December. The most recent buy tender from an Indian importer for 20-20-0+13S — issued by Hurl for up to 70,000t — resulted in no offers being submitted. Fact has also been seeking 15-15-15. It is scheduled to close a tender on 23 September for 30,000t of the product. The latter 15-15-15 request was issued despite Fact having been offered two 25,000t cargoes of the grade by a trading firm in a tender that closed last week. A deal has not been completed under the earlier 15-15-15 tender, but discussions have been taking place. By David Maher Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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