Latest market news

China MOP imports up on strong growing season

  • Market: Fertilizers
  • 21/04/21

First-quarter MOP deliveries to China were up by around 20pc on a year earlier, as the country expands its planted areas and swine count from last year, pushing up demand for potash.

First-quarter MOP imports were 2.59mn t, up from 2.16mn t in the same period last year. March imports alone were 1.13mn t, up from 775,000t a year earlier.

Canada sent the most of any country to China in the period, at 789,000t — a 30pc market share — followed by Russia, with 696,000t or a 27pc market share. Belarus sent 635,000t for a 25pc market share, while Israel and Jordan had 9pc and 5pc shares, respectively.

China is likely to see an increase in its planted area this year, as the government ensures grain output remains above the 650mn t mark. China's wheat-planted area has declined over the past four years, but the government in October announced plans to raise the guaranteed purchase price for the grain in an attempt to encourage higher production. China has also announced its intention to increase its corn and soy sowing area in 2021, and its swine levels have bounced back to 2017 levels after falling on an outbreak of African swine fever in 2018-19.

The increase in swine levels and grain output are driving MOP demand, and given that Chinese potash producer QHSL has limited scope to increase production, China must continue to rely on more imported potash to cover the rise.

Domestic supply is tightening as NPK producers ramp up purchases. QHSL's MOP stocks are reported to be falling, and port stocks slipped slightly to 2.4mn-2.45mn t last week, down from 2.5mn-2.6mn t a week earlier.

The tightening supply has pushed up domestic standard MOP prices to the equivalent of $362/t on a delivered basis, compared with the annual contract price of $247/t cfr China ports. BPC settled MOP contracts with the Chinese buying consortium at a headline price of $247/t cfr in February, for delivery by the end of this year. This was a $27/t increase from the previous contract, but the price was deemed too low by other key producers.

Aside from BPC, no other producer has publicly announced a contract settlement with China's consortium of buyers. But Argus understands that some other suppliers have already settled quietly, at levels in line with BPC's $247/t cfr headline price from 10 February.

MOP shipments to China totalled 8.8mn t in 2020, a 3pc drop compared with 2019, with deliveries peaking in September at 1.2mn t.


Sharelinkedin-sharetwitter-sharefacebook-shareemail-share

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News
19/09/24

Kenya's NCPB receives offers in fertilizer tender

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.

Find out more
News

Pupuk Indonesia closes tender to buy amsul


19/09/24
News
19/09/24

Pupuk Indonesia closes tender to buy amsul

Singapore, 19 September (Argus) — State-owned Pupuk Indonesia has closed a tender to buy 30,000t of bulk standard caprolactam-grade ammonium sulphate (amsul) for shipment to two different ports by the end of October to early November. Pupuk requested that bids be submitted based on a formula price with an added premium. The range of premiums offered by participants was around $13/t, bringing delivered prices to a low-mid $150s/t cfr. Pupuk Indonesia requested for 20,000t of amsul in a single shipment to Gresik port for Petrokimia Gresik, to be delivered by the fourth week of October. It also requested for 10,000t of standard amsul in a single shipment to Cigading port for Pupuk Kujang, to be delivered by the first week of November. By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Gas returns to Egyptian urea plants


19/09/24
News
19/09/24

Gas returns to Egyptian urea plants

Amsterdam, 19 September (Argus) — Gas supplies have returned to three Egyptian urea producers that had halted output earlier this week. The three plants of Alexfert, Helwan and another unidentified producer have a combined capacity of around 1.85mn t/yr. The disruptions emerged on 16 September when state-owned Gasco sent a letter to the producers informing them that the gas supplies would be cut. Overall urea operating rates in Egypt are to remain under pressure, at likely 80pc or below, as producers grapple with the shifting feedstock situation. Algerian producer Sorfert is also set to cut production at its 1.19mn t/yr granular urea plant to minimum rates next month, with output to be lower during October because of a turnaround. By Dana Hjeij and Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Malaysia’s January-July urea exports rise


19/09/24
News
19/09/24

Malaysia’s January-July urea exports rise

Singapore, 19 September (Argus) — Malaysia's urea exports during January-July increased by 4pc from a year earlier to 1.17mn t supported by firm deliveries to Australia, despite multiple turnarounds and production disruptions at state-owned producer Petronas' plants. Petronas took its 700,000 t/yr Bintulu urea plant off line on three separate occasions in February, early May and late June, with each turnaround spanning around two weeks or more. The most recent two-week turnaround at its Bintulu plant was completed in early July. Petronas also took its 693,000 t/yr Gurun plant off line in mid-May for around two weeks. But Petronas was still able to cater to its term commitments, with deliveries rising slightly compared with last year, especially to key markets like Australia. Deliveries to Australia rose by 7pc during January-July, largely because of a good monsoon season and heavy rainfall on Australia's west and east coasts that spurred domestic urea demand. This encouraged Australian importers to seek more cargoes during the peak application season from southeast Asia producers like Malaysia and the Middle East. Deliveries to Mexico also increased to 113,800t against 33,000t the previous year. Exports to New Zealand rose to 60,500t compared with 21,700t during January-July last year. Exports to Thailand fell by 30pc as Thai importers sought more Indonesian-origin cargoes this year, likely during occasions where there had been unexpected production disruptions at Petronas' urea units. Some Malaysian urea deliveries to southeast Asia were likely also replaced by increased Indonesian urea exports. Pupuk Indonesia had abundant urea inventories and export availability because of fewer turnarounds at its Kaltim urea plants. Exports to the Philippines fell by 44pc during January-July, largely because of reduced overall demand from Philippine importers citing high inventories. Bad weather and the absence of fertilizer subsidies also dampened overall urea demand. Exports to Myanmar (Burma) also slipped by 53pc as its importers sought cheaper urea from Oman as an alternative. Malaysia's urea exports in this year's fourth quarter are expected to increase. On top of term commitments, at least 40,000t of spot urea is to move to east coast India and some other cargoes and commitments are destined for regional markets and the west coast of Latin America. By Dinise Chng Malaysia urea exports (t) Thailand Australia Philippines Others Total Jan 41,247 32,000 40,045 139,005 252,297 Feb 15,321 400 6,604 91,083 113,408 Mar 27,629 33,001 21,421 50,338 132,389 Apr 33,511 33,057 5,685 42,332 114,585 May 30,368 30,001 2 133,992 194,363 Jun 30,183 32,615 3,490 32,027 98,315 Jul 46,354 96,442 23,880 101,586 268,262 Total 224,613 257,516 101,127 590,363 1,173,619 Source: GTT Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

USCG updates ongoing lower Mississippi restrictions


17/09/24
News
17/09/24

USCG updates ongoing lower Mississippi restrictions

Houston, 17 September (Argus) — The US Coast Guard (USCG) will further limit northbound movement for barges transiting the lower Mississippi River despite slightly higher water levels following Hurricane Francine's landfall late last week. The USCG announced on 16 September that all northbound traffic traveling from Tunica, Mississippi, to Tiptonville, Tennessee, can only have five barges wide and only four of those can be loaded. Barges also cannot be loaded deeper than 9.5ft. Any southbound traffic from Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Tunica cannot move more than seven barges wide or be drafted deeper than 10.5ft. Southbound traffic from Tiptonville to Tunica can only be six barges wide or less and cannot have a draft greater than 10ft. The USCG has updated lower Mississippi river draft restrictions about four times since the end of August, but this is the third year in a row of notable low water for the fall on the lower Mississippi river which has triggered draft restrictions to arrive more quickly than previous years. Hurricane Francine brought significant rainfall to the lower Mississippi at the end of last week . But this has not eased the minds of mariners, who anticipate the water may leave as quickly as it arrived. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more