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.
Pupuk Indonesia supplies 6.6mn t subsidised fertilizers
Pupuk Indonesia supplies 6.6mn t subsidised fertilizers
Singapore, 2 December (Argus) — State-owned Pupuk Indonesia has distributed about 6.6mn t of subsidised fertilizers to registered domestic farmers as of late November. This is around 87.7pc of the total contract volume of 7.54mn t with the Ministry of Agriculture, according to Pupuk on 2 December. The distributed volumes consists of 3.36mn t of urea, 3.21mn t of NPK fertilizers, and 38,400t of Pupuk's Petroganik organic fertilizers. The recent allocations of subsidised fertilizers aim to help domestic farmers maximise crop productivity during the seasonal crop application period from October to March. Farmers that are members of a farmers' group, individually registered with the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and farm no more than two hectares of land are eligible to receive the subsidised fertilizers. The allocation of subsidized fertilizers is also limited to farmers who cultivate nine strategic crops: rice, corn, soybeans, chilli, onions, garlic, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa. The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture increased Pupuk Indonesia's 2024 subsidised fertilizer allocation volumes to 9.5mn t in April. This aimed to boost domestic agricultural productivity and support national food security efforts. Pupuk Indonesia is likely to continue increasing its production and distribution of subsidised fertilizers for the domestic sector next year, in line with the Indonesian government's plan to launch a program to develop around 3mn hectares of new rice fields . By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Genesis hires designer for Sask. low-carbon NH3 plant
Genesis hires designer for Sask. low-carbon NH3 plant
Houston, 25 November (Argus) — Fertilizer start-up Genesis Fertilizers has reached a front-end engineering design agreement with DL Engineering & Constructions (DL E&C) for Canada's first proposed low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer facility. Genesis and the South Korean firm aim to start work in December on the Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan, project. Carbonco will be the carbon capture technology provider and Whitecap Resources will assist with other carbon sequestration. Genesis expects to begin commercial operations by 2029 and produce about 1.1mn metric tonnes/yr of nitrogen fertilizers, including urea and ammonium sulfate, as well as diesel exhaust fluid. The company originally planned for a 700,000 t/yr plant but increased capacity because of rising demand of low-carbon products. Genesis aims to be a farmer-owned plant and distribute nearly 75pc of its volume via offtake agreements, selling the rest in the spot market. Once complete, the plant will decrease Canada's reliance on imported nitrogen fertilizer and shrink freight costs across the supply chain, Genesis said. DL E&C is involved in other fertilizer projects including Ma'aden's Ammonia II and III projects in Saudi Arabia as well as the Golden Triangle Polymers Project in Texas. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Elevated nitrate levels found in Iowa water: EPA
Elevated nitrate levels found in Iowa water: EPA
Houston, 20 November (Argus) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added seven Iowa water segments to its impaired US waters list, saying they are all polluted with nitrate, possibly stemming from nitrogen fertilizer runoff. The EPA added these seven water segments to the list of impaired waters on 12 November, determining each was laden with nitrate pollution. The EPA invoked water restoration plans in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This is in addition to the 712 water segments in Iowa that are already on the state's list of water segments that need a restoration plan under the Clean Water Act, according to the EPA. The largest contributor to nitrate pollution is manure and commercial fertilizer that runs off farm fields, according Pam Taylor, director of the Iowa Sierra Club Chapter. Nearly 85pc of land in Iowa is farmland, using nearly 149 lbs of nitrogen fertilizer per acre annually,the US Department of Agriculture said. The Iowa DNR initially submitted a list of water segments that need restoration attention on 9 May, which was only partially approved by the EPA. This triggered the agency to place these additional water segments on public notice until 12 December. Once that date has passed, the EPA can implement a restoration plan in partnership with the Iowa DNR. The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is in support of the EPA's decision. It alleged that the DNR purposefully used an incorrect method to determine nitrate pollution, which may have enabled the DNR to excuse certain water segments from the list of impaired bodies. Separately, a letter was also sent to the EPA on 16 April by several Iowa agencies requesting the EPA apply its emergency powers to address nitrate groundwater contamination in northeastern Iowa. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Major amsul producers increase pricing for 1Q
Major amsul producers increase pricing for 1Q
Houston, 19 November (Argus) — US ammonium sulfate producers Interoceanic Corporation (IOC) and AdvanSix have increased prices for first-quarter deliveries. IOC increased its first-quarter offers by $20-35/st at all distribution points except for its Houston plant , which will remain at $345/st fob. The low end of the range offered was $335/st fob at Nola, while the high end was $405/st rail delivered for Northern Plains. AdvanSix increased amsul prices by $25/st for all locations for first-quarter delivery. The Hopewell, Virginia, value rose to $355/st fob. Upper Mississippi River warehouses increased to $385/st fob, while Ohio River and Granite City, Illinois, prices increased to $380/st fob. Inland warehouses and rail quotes will maintain traditional premiums over river locations, AdvanSix said. Amsul values continue to rise into the winter pre-pay season because of short domestic supply, driven by high input costs inflating market values. By Meghan Yoyotte IOC's Ammonium Sulfate Prices for 1Q $/st Location Value Nola Barge $335/st FOB Houston $345/st St Louis and Delta Terminals $380/st Upper Mississippi River Terminals $385/st Illinois River Terminals $385/st Ohio River Terminals $380/st FOB Sioux City/Omaha/Casselton, ND $405/st Rail Delivered Northern Plains $405/st — IOC AdvanSix's Amsul prices for 1Q $/st Location Value FOB Hopewell, VA $355/st Upper Mississippi River $385/st Ohio River/Granite City, IL $380/st — AdvanSix Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. 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.
AdBlue Market Outlook
In this concise market insight paper, Argus reviews AdBlue consumption and demand forecast to 2035 including by vehicle type and by country and analyses regulatory landscape as well as AdBlue market competitiveness.
Podcast - 14/11/23Fertilizer Matters: Market spotlight - US and Brazil, Nov 2023
Podcast - 27/10/23Fertilizer Matters: A History of Fertilizers, Oct 2023
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.
