

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.
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Latest sustainable and specialty fertilizers news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global sustainable and specialty fertilizers markets
Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average
Upper Mississippi River ice tops 5-year average
Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Ice measurements taken Wednesday to gauge when barges can transit the upper Mississippi River exceeded the five-year average, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The annual Lake Pepin ice reports — taken by the Corps in February and March at Lake Pepin south of Minneapolis — are a bellwether for when barge transit can resume on the upper Mississippi River. This year's first report found ice at the lake was 19in thick on 12 February, 8in thicker than last year's measurement and 3in above the five-year average. The Corps' initial report last year found only 11in of ice at the lake, thin enough for waterborne traffic to break through. Subsequent reports were cancelled after the Corps said it would be too hazardous for crews and equipment to take additional measurements. Locks along the upper Mississippi River are anticipated to remain closed through 3 March, the Rock Island Corps district in Illinois said on 5 February. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock
ACBL sets release dates for Illinois River lock
Houston, 13 February (Argus) — Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) has issued its earliest release dates for Illinois River barges planning to transit the Lockport Lock, which closed for maintenance last month. Release dates will be from 23 February through 19 March for barges expecting to pass through the Lockport Lock over the spring season, ACBL said Wednesday. The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) expects to reopen the Lockport Lock on 25 March, the Corps said when it announced the closure . The Corps closed the lock on 28 January to install new vertical lift gates and make repairs. The closure has cut off major trade hubs such as Chicago, Illinois, and Burns Harbor, Indiana, from Illinois River barge transportation. Lock 27 and the Mel Price Lock above St Louis will remain partially closed through 1 April, as they are also undergoing maintenance by the Corps, ACBL said. The barge line acknowledged higher demurrage rates were likely for those who loaded barges prior to the released dates. Initial transit on the Illinois River is also anticipated to have a significant backlog in the spring months. By Meghan Yoyotte ACBL's Illinois River release dates Origin Port Barges destined above Lockport Lock, on IL River Mobile, AL 25 Feb Houston, TX 23 Feb Weeks Island, LA 26 Feb New Orleans, LA 3 Mar Pittsburgh, PA 2 Mar Cincinnati, OH 5 Mar Decatur, AL 10 Mar Memphis, TN 10 Mar Evanscille, IN 12 Mar Cairo, IL 16 Mar St Louis, MO 19 Mar — ACBL Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India’s Fact issues tender to buy phosacid
India’s Fact issues tender to buy phosacid
London, 12 February (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer and producer Fact has issued a tender to buy up to 12,000t of phosphoric acid, closing on 18 February. Fact is seeking phosphoric acid containing 46-53pc P2O5 for laycan during 20 March-10 April and shipment to Kochi on India's southwest coast. Offers are to be valid for seven days after opening and will include 30 days' credit. Offers will be given as a premium or discount to the first-quarter phosphoric acid contract price of $1,055/t P2O5 cfr India. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vessel nominations roll in for RCF urea tender
Vessel nominations roll in for RCF urea tender
Amsterdam, 11 February (Argus) — Vessel nominations in Indian importer RCF's 23 January tender to buy urea have emerged, with 11 out of 12 shipments nominated. Four vessels will load from the Middle East, two from Nigeria, two from Indonesia, at least two — and probably three — from Russia and one cargo of probably re-exported material from Yantai in China ( see table ). The 11 vessels nominated are set to load this month. Quest is the one supplier still to nominate a vessel, but this will probably load in Russia. Vessels are to load by 5 March, as per RCF's request. There will be nine shipments for a combined 411,500t to the east coast and 147,400t in three lots to the west coast, totalling 558,900t. Indagro made the lowest offer at $422/t cfr west coast and $427/t cfr east coast. RCF had sought up to 1.5mn t of urea and market participants are awaiting the next tender from India to bridge the shortfall, which is expected in the next 1-2 weeks. By Harry Minihan RCF 23 Jan urea tender vessels Supplier Tonnage t Prilled/granular urea Origin Destination port West coast Indagro 45,000 Granular UAE Mundra Ameropa 52,400 Granular Sohar, Oman Deendayal Quest 50,000 Russia TBC Rozy East coast Indagro 45,000 Granular Onne, Nigeria Kakinada Midgulf 45,000 Granular Indonesia Krishnapatnam Midgulf 31,500 Granular Lekki, Nigeria Krishnapatnam OQ 45,000 Granular China Kakinada Sun International 50,000 Prilled Qatar Paradip Liven 47,500 Granular Indonesia Vizag Fertistream 45,000 Prilled Tuapse, Russia Gangavaram Aditya Birla 52,500 Granular Sohar, Oman Dhamra Aditya Birla 50,000 Prilled Ust Luga, Russia Karaikal Total 558,900 — market sources Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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