Sustainable and specialty fertilizers
Overview
The importance of sustainable and specialty fertilizer markets has grown as producers diversify their product ranges and end users seek more efficient fertilizer compositions. These developments have been further impacted by the drive towards sustainability, which has accelerated interest in these markets.
Argus market experts have many years of experience in these sectors, incorporating price reporting, cost calculations, fundamentals analysis and forecasting.
We support the industry by bringing understanding and clarity to clients through:
- Newly launched Argus Sustainable and Specialty Fertilizers price reporting service
- Annual Argus Water-Soluble Fertilizer Strategy Report
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest sustainable and specialty fertilizers news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global sustainable and specialty fertilizers markets
Hormuz attacks up but many unreported: UKMTO
Hormuz attacks up but many unreported: UKMTO
New York, 16 October (Argus) — At least 12 vessels were attacked in the strait of Hormuz in the last week but many attacks are not being reported, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre. UKMTO, a British Royal Navy-run organization that acts as liaison between military and commercial shipping organizations, said it is struggling to accurately report the true number of attacks in the region since most vessels refuse to report to it. "UKMTO is aware via other sources of incidents but constrained on reporting through lack of verification," the group said today in a weekly update posted at 12:00 GMT. Between 9-13 October, 12 incidents were reported by UKMTO, 10 in the strait of Hormuz, one in the Gulf of Oman and one in the Mideast Gulf. Of the 12 incidents, six vessels continued or reach port, three have damage or unconfirmed outcome, two were disabled or not under command and one was lost. Attacks continue to be concentrated around the southern lane which is the lane where US-assisted transits have been taking place. The US Central Command (Centcom), which oversees US forces in the Middle East, continues to claim control of the strait of Hormuz despite the high number of attacks against commercial vessels in the waterway. "The IRGC has continued to falsely claim control of the Strait of Hormuz," Centcom said on Thursday, referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "The United States and regional partners control the strait as commercial vessels continue to transit despite unwarranted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aggression." By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Venezuela sends 30,000 t of fertilizer to US
Venezuela sends 30,000 t of fertilizer to US
Caracas, 15 October (Argus) — Venezuela has shipped another 30,000 metric tons (t) of fertilizer, likely urea, to the US, US charge d'affaires in Caracas John Barrett said. The fertilizer was shipped by Venezuelan state-owned firm Pequiven through XTS Commodities, a subsidiary of Xtellus Partners, Barrett said in a social media post. "This cargo will contribute to the supply of key materials for North American agriculture," Barrett said. "We continue to strengthen bilateral commerce and the economic recovery of Venezuela." The embassy did not respond to a question on the type of fertilizer, but a source with Venezuela's natural gas industry said that the shipment was urea. The embassy posted a photo of the Annaliese , a dry bulk vessel that loaded about 30,000t of urea at Pequiven's nitrogen plant in Anzoategui state in Venezuela, according to vessel tracking firm Kpler. That is Pequiven's only facility capable of manufacturing that quantity of fertilizer, the source said. The plant was previously owned by US firm Koch, but was nationalized in 2010 during the government of late former President Hugo Chavez. The Annaliese would be the third Venezuelan urea vessel to bring urea to the US this year since the US authorized sanctions wavers for Venezuelan fertilizer in March. Acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez in July appointed to Pequiven's presidency Jose David Cabello , the brother of interior minister Diosdado Cabello who is still on a US wanted list. The US embassy in Caracas and Pequiven declined to comment further. By Carlos Camacho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
ASEAN Fertilizers to tackle supply, climate challenges
ASEAN Fertilizers to tackle supply, climate challenges
Bangkok, 14 October (Argus) — Fertilizer producers in southeast Asia are moving to establish a regional industry body as the sector faces down geopolitical disruption, raw material constraints, climate change and food security concerns. The proposed body — ASEAN Fertilizers, initially floated as the Southeast Asia Fertilizer Association at April's Argus Fertilizer Asia Conference in Indonesia — aims to provide a unified voice, promote producer collaboration and reinforce supply chains. The group is seeking formal ASEAN recognition and plans to expand membership to producers across the region, Brunei Fertilizer Industries' chief executive, Harri Kiiski, said at the IFA Crossroads 2026 conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, today. This initiative is now especially important as producers grapple with an increasingly complex market. The disruption in the Middle East has highlighted Asia's exposure to supply chain risks, particularly dependence on imports of raw materials such as sulphur, a key feedstock for phosphate fertilizers, trading firm Hexagon Group's president, Christian Wendel, said during a panel discussion. The disruption has also accentuated policymakers' food security concerns. The impact of the disruption was amplified by trade restrictions and reduced exports from some countries. Greater production capacity is needed elsewhere in the region to strengthen supply security, but limited access to feedstocks, energy and investment continues to hold up projects, delegates agreed. "We need more production in Asia — particularly outside China," Wendel said, noting that southeast Asia remains heavily reliant on China for fertilizers. An ageing farming population also poses a challenge. The average age of rice farmers in several Asian countries continues to rise, increasing the need for new technology, training and support for younger growers. While younger farmers are generally more open to adopting drones, precision agriculture and other digital technologies that can improve nutrient efficiency and productivity, industry leaders warned that climate change is likely to create additional challenges through more extreme and unpredictable weather. ASEAN Fertilizers could play an important role in co-ordinating industry efforts, supporting innovation and helping the region navigate supply, sustainability and food security challenges, industry leaders said. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Innovation, nutrient efficiency key to Asia agriculture
Innovation, nutrient efficiency key to Asia agriculture
Bangkok, 14 October (Argus) — Asia's agriculture sector is well positioned for growth but must speed up its efforts to improve nutrient efficiency, adopt climate-smart practices and strengthen supply-chain resilience in view of mounting climate and market challenges, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Asia-Pacific senior officer, Yubak Dhoj GC, said at the International Fertilizer Association's Crossroads 2026 conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, today. The fertilizer industry is crucial to supporting sustainable agricultural growth, not only through supplying fertilizers but also by providing innovative solutions that improve nutrient-use efficiency, support soil health and contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, GC said. Climate change poses a significant risk to the agriculture sector. It is one of the sector's most pressing sustainability challenges, underscoring the need to reduce the use of land, water, nutrients and energy while increasing food production. Recent market disruptions such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Black Sea, logistical bottlenecks and extreme weather events have made global food supply chains more vulnerable. Ensuring continued access to seeds, fertilizers, energy, finance and agricultural markets during periods of disruption is critical, because lost planting seasons cannot be easily recovered, GC said. On top of governmental support, farmers and industry need to collaborate better to build agricultural resilience against climate change and market disruptions, GC said. This requires investment in agricultural and rural infrastructure, as well as the technologies that are essential to this goal. Despite growing challenges, the outlook for the region's agriculture sector remains positive, GC said. Climate risks, resource constraints, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping the operating environment, but Asia-Pacific will still remain a major contributor to global agricultural growth over the coming decade. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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