Nitrogen
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.
Our extensive nitrogen coverage includes prilled and granular urea, UAN, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulphate. Argus has many decades of experience covering the nitrogen market and incorporates our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including ammonia and natural gas to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Daily and weekly nitrogen price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of urea prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest nitrogen news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global nitrogen industry.
Egypt’s NCIC sells DAP, CAN, SOP in tender
Egypt’s NCIC sells DAP, CAN, SOP in tender
London, 17 August (Argus) — Egyptian fertilizer producer NCIC has reported the following awards in its latest sales tender, which closed on 11 August: 21,000t of DAP at $915-920/t fob 27,000t of CAN 26 at $250-270/t fob 500t of water-soluble SOP at $750/t bagged ex-works The DAP price is far above the $890-900/t fob awards in NCIC's 20 July tender. The awarded volume is slightly more than the 20,000t initially offered in this tender . The CAN price is broadly steady at the midpoint compared with the $261/t fob awarded in NCIC's 1 July tender. But the awarded volume is almost treble the 10,000t initially offered. The SOP price is also an increase from NCIC's 20 July tender, in which it awarded 500t at $730/t bagged ex-works. But the volume is half what NCIC had offered in this tender. No buyers have confirmed the awards, and the destinations of the products sold are not yet known. NCIC had also offered 10,000t of TSP and 30,000t of SSP, but did not award either product. This is likely to have been because the prices received were below its expectations. Prices for TSP and SSP have been under pressure in Brazil — the benchmark destination — in recent weeks. Meanwhile, prices for shipments of sulphur — a key raw material for phosphates production — to Egypt have held firm, squeezing production margins. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argentinian Profertil’s urea output rises 16pc in 1H26
Argentinian Profertil’s urea output rises 16pc in 1H26
Amsterdam, 12 August (Argus) — Argentina's Profertil produced 16pc more urea on the year at 617,000t in January-June, according to 90pc shareholder Adecoagro. The plant produced 340,000t of urea in the second quarter, up from 279,000t a year earlier. Adecoagro used figures on a pro forma basis from last year to compare with the period prior to the acquisition of its controlling stake in the Bahia Blanca plant in mid-December 2025. Adecoagro attributed the increase to a higher number of operational days compared with the first six months of last year, when operations halted for 31 days, the firm said in its earnings statement. The halt was largely because of a flood that affected gas supplies to the facility. Profertil sold 404,000t of urea in the first six months, down from 433,000t a year earlier. Urea revenues hit $250mn in January-June, up by 30pc from $192mn a year earlier, as prices spiked in line with international levels after the start of the Iran war at the end of February and ensuing constriction of shipments from the Middle East. The Profertil plant has 1.3mn t/yr of granular urea capacity and is the only urea facility in the country. But Pampa Energia aims to establish a competing 2.1mn t/yr urea facility in about 40 months, also in Bahia Blanca. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Maire awarded contract for Argentina’s new urea plant
Maire awarded contract for Argentina’s new urea plant
Amsterdam, 20 July (Argus) — Italian engineering firm Maire Tecnimont will handle engineering, procurement and commissioning (EPC) as well as the start-up of Pampa Energia's 2.1mn t/yr granular urea plant in Argentina. The facility is set to be completed in 41 months, according to Maire and Pampa. The plant will operate two urea trains, each with its own granulation unit, at the site in the Bahia Blanca industrial complex in Buenos Aires province. The 2.1mn t/yr plant will have the largest capacity in Latin America, outstripping Profertil's 1.32mn t/yr facility, also located in Bahia Blanca. The new plant has the potential to alter some trade dynamics in the region, with the addition set to boost Latin America's urea capacity by over a third from its existing 6.1mn t/yr. It will also result in Argentina becoming the top producer in the region, surpassing Venezuela's existing — although constrained — capacity. Latin America is, along with south Asia, among the top importing regions globally, typically receiving at least 11mn-12mn t/yr of urea, largely due to demand from Brazil and Argentina. Argentinian urea imports have ranged from 0.8mn-1.5mn t in recent years. Pampa pointed to the "structural deficit" in import terms in the wider region and noted the project's "strong export profile" in a stock exchange filing announcing the final decision to proceed on 17 July. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
France nitrogen demand jumps on subsidy announcement
France nitrogen demand jumps on subsidy announcement
London, 10 July (Argus) — Demand for straight nitrogen fertilizers in France, particularly urea and UAN, increased sharply following the government's subsidy announcement on 9 July. Farmers will receive at least €50/t ($57/t) on purchases of straight nitrogen fertilizers made between 1 June and 30 September, rising to €70/t where fertilizer accounts for more than 10pc of operating costs. Urea buying accelerated immediately, with prices rising to €495/t fca from around €460/t fca. Interest also strengthened for sulphur-enriched granular urea (40N+14SO3), with business reported at €460/t fca in big bags. UAN 30 demand also surged, but prices remained initially unchanged at €370/t fca Rouen and with large sales volumes reported. Some offers reached €380/t fca today while several suppliers withdrew offers pending a reassessment of market levels next week. The impact on AN 33.5 and CAN 27 was less pronounced, but some European producers withdrew offers from the market. Market participants also expressed concern that the subsidy could further divert demand away from NPK fertilizers and ammonium sulphate, which are not covered by the support scheme. By Dana Hjeij Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights
The complimentary Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights package includes:
• Bi-weekly Fertilizer Newsletter
• Monthly Market Update Video
• Bi-monthly Fertilizer Focus Magazine
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
Global Sulphur & Sulphuric Acid Market Dynamics & Impact of US-Iran Conflict
Global Sulphur & Sulphuric Acid Market Dynamics & Impact of US-Iran Conflict
Global DAP Market Dynamics & Outlook: Opportunities for Pakistan?
Global DAP Market Dynamics & Outlook: Opportunities for Pakistan?
European AdBlue & TGU markets: What’s shaping the outlook?
European AdBlue & TGU markets: What’s shaping the outlook?
Explore our nitrogen products
Region and country focused market intelligence
Key price assessments
Argus prices are recognised by the market as trusted and reliable indicators of the real market value. Explore some of our most widely used and relevant price assessments.