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.
Bahiagás fornecerá gás para Petrobras
Bahiagás fornecerá gás para Petrobras
Sao Paulo, 22 December (Argus) — A distribuidora de gás natural Bahiagás, com atuação na Bahia, fornecerá gás para a Petrobras para a produção de fertilizantes em sua unidade Fafen. A Bahiagás fornecerá 1,2 milhão de m³/dia de gás por meio de gasodutos para a unidade da Petrobras em Camaçari, na Bahia, informou a Petrobras. O gás permitirá que a empresa produza fertilizantes nitrogenados no local. O gás natural é utilizado como matéria-prima para a produção de ureia e amônia. A retomada da produção de fertilizantes na Fafen contribuirá para o aumento da produção nacional, afirmou a Petrobras. "Isso garantirá uma alternativa rentável para o consumo de gás natural produzido no Brasil", disse William França, diretor de processos industriais e produtos da Petrobras. A Petrobras informou que espera que a unidade inicie suas operações em janeiro, mas não especificou a data de inauguração. A unidade está na fase final de manutenção e comissionamento, com trabalhos para viabilizar os testes de sistemas e equipamentos. A unidade produzirá amônia, ureia granulada e Arla 32, produto para controle de emissões de veículos pesados, também conhecido como AdBlue na Europa e DEF nos EUA. Inclui ainda a operação dos terminais marítimos de amônia e ureia no porto de Aratu, na Bahia, para movimentação desses produtos. As duas unidades de fertilizantes Fafen — a outra fica no estado de Sergipe — têm capacidade combinada de 1,1 milhão de toneladas (t)/ano de fertilizantes e ureia técnica e 900.000t/ano de amônia. A Fafen, na Bahia, retornou ao controle da Petrobras em abril . A unidade havia sido arrendada para o grupo petroquímico brasileiro Unigel — juntamente com a unidade de Sergipe — mas as operações foram suspensas em 2023 devido aos altos preços do gás. A Petrobras deve investir mais de R$2,6 bilhões em unidades de fertilizantes e em uma estrutura de apoio a estaleiros, conforme anunciado em outubro. Por Gisele Augusto Envie comentários e solicite mais informações em feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . Todos os direitos reservados.
Brazil Bahiagas to supply gas to Petrobras ferts
Brazil Bahiagas to supply gas to Petrobras ferts
Sao Paulo, 22 December (Argus) — The natural gas distributor of Brazil's northeastern Bahia state will supply gas to state-controlled firm Petrobras to produce fertilizers in its Fafen unit. Bahiagas will supply 1.2mn m³/d of gas through pipes to Petrobras' unit in Camacari, Bahia, Petrobras said. The gas will allow the firm to produce nitrogen-based fertilizers there Natural gas is used as feedstock to produce urea and ammonia. The resumption of fertilizer production at Fafen will contribute to boosting national production, Petrobras said. "It will guarantee a profitable alternative for the consumption of natural gas produced in Brazil," Petrobras's director of industrial processes and products William Franca said. Petrobras said it expects the unit to start operations in January, but the company did not specify the launch date. The unit is in final stage of maintenance and commissioning is ongoing, with work to enable system and equipment tests. It will produce ammonia, prilled urea and Arla 32, a heavy vehicle emissions-control product also known as AdBlue in Europe and DEF in the US. It also includes the operation of the ammonia and urea maritime terminals at the port of Aratu, in Bahia, to handle the products. The two Fafen fertilizer units — the other is in Sergipe state — have a combined capacity of 1.1mn metric tonnes (t)/year of fertilizer and technical urea and 900,000 t/yr of ammonia. Bahia's Fafen returned to Petrobras' control in April . The unit was leased to Brazilian petrochemical group Unigel — along with the Sergipe unit — but operations were suspended in 2023 because of high gas prices. Petrobras will invest more than R2.6bn ($469.4mn) on fertilizer units and shipyard structure, it said in October . By Gisele Augusto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Viewpoint: Amsul to steer Brazil’s N imports in 2026
Viewpoint: Amsul to steer Brazil’s N imports in 2026
London, 19 December (Argus) — Ammonium sulphate imports will continue to match urea imports in Brazil next year, as high urea prices and increased availability of amsul have been steadily leading farmers away from the former and towards the latter. Brazil's urea imports have historically been 2mn-3mn t/yr higher than its amsul imports, but urea's lead has eroded as amsul has become more affordable for farmers. Amsul is also more easily available and has less volatile pricing. Brazil's amsul imports almost tripled over 2018-24, rising to more than 6mn t/yr, while urea imports increased by almost 2mn t/yr to around 8mn t/yr over the same period. Argus- assessed amsul prices averaged $178/t cfr over August-November, which is when Brazil does its lion's share of its amsul buying, in line with the same period last year. Amsul prices averaged $244/t cfr over August-November 2020-24. Brazil imported nearly equal volumes of urea and amsul in January-November this year, at around 6.7mn t of each product, trade data show. Going into 2026, Brazil will maintain its position as the only market capable of absorbing leftover amsul in the market, but Chinese output will probably fall next year, which could compensate for some Chinese supplies being redirected to Brazil and away from other regions. Mexico re-imposed an $181/t import duty on Chinese amsul on 25 November. The onset of the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism from 1 January may keep European buyers away from Chinese imports, at least in the first quarter. Depending on the specifics of the regulation, some Chinese amsul producers may be rendered uncompetitive in the European market. Meanwhile, the Chinese caprolactam-grade amsul industry is likely to adopt a more "self-disciplined" strategy next year, keeping operating rates below 80pc and being more cautious to commit to contracts of affreightment. Most compacted amsul shipments from China to Brazil are covered by contracts of affreightment, which can lead to a build-up of unsold amsul in Brazil during the peak season, which may pressure equivalent urea purchases or offers. Buyers usually expect the price per nitrogen unit to be lower in amsul than urea, as amsul requires additional logistical and operational costs to bring the fertilizer to the fields and to apply. Twice the volume of amsul is required compared with urea for an equivalent amount of nitrogen. Affordability has been a key concern globally this year, with record highs for urea prices. Brazil is no exception, with the Argus nitrogen affordability index for Brazil averaging 0.87 over January-November, compared with 1.05 in the past four years. The lower the index, the worse fertilizer affordability is for farmers against their crop sales, making lower-cost nitrogen sources such as amsul more attractive. Weather conditions also affect urea-amsul substitution. Amsul is less volatile than urea, with the latter losing its nitrogen content easily during heatwaves or period of heavy rainfall, reducing the amount of nutrient available for the crop. Amsul can be stored more easily for long periods in warehouses compared with urea, which is more sensitive to heat. Availability and pricing are important considerations but there are a few barriers to amsul increasing its market share against urea. Corn is the main crop that can substitute urea with amsul. But falling corn prices are discouraging farmers from investing in the crop. Using more amsul over a long period can change the acid-to-alkaline balance of the soil, hampering yields, market participants said. The extent to which amsul can be successfully substituted depends on the region, the soil specifications in each field and which other fertilizers are being combined with it in NPK blends. Brazil can successfully swap amsul for urea as a raw material for most blends, but not those with single super phosphate, as the combined sulphur content would be too high. The availability of suitable trucks has also been a concern this year, preventing inland amsul transport. Record grain exports will continue to compete with fertilizer imports for trucks at Brazilian ports in 2026, meaning urea will be easier to transport as half as much is needed compared with amsul. Lastly, Brazil's fertilizer storage capacity is small and fertilizers compete with agricultural products for warehouse space, preventing large volumes being imported. By Upasruti Biswas, Gisele Augusto and Bruno Castro Brazil's amsul vs. urea imports mn t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indian local urea sales on track for record in December
Indian local urea sales on track for record in December
Amsterdam, 18 December (Argus) — Indian urea sales to end-users could reach close to 6mn t this month, which would set a fresh record for offtake in any month. It has been a strong start to sales so far in December, in what typically marks the peak consumption month for the winter rabi season. Domestic urea production is relatively stable at the equivalent of 2.6mn t/month, latest provisional data indicate. Urea sales were 5.2mn t in December 2024. The highest amount sold in any month on record was 5.4mn t in July this year . The country's urea stocks were around 6.3mn t in mid-December, down from 7.1mn t at the start of the month , the data show. The strong sales figures this month are likely to be the key driver behind Indian importer and supplier NFL's earlier-than-expected tender issuance on Tuesday , closing on 2 January and seeking 1.5mn t of urea for shipment up to 20 February. India is typically the largest urea importer, and its regular state-backed tenders are closely watched in the international urea market. The country has bought 9.23mn t of urea this calendar year through tenders. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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