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
Port of Nola reopens after winter storm
Port of Nola reopens after winter storm
Houston, 24 January (Argus) — The port of New Orleans reopened today after a prolonged shut-down propelled by a heavy winter storm that swept through the US Gulf earlier this week. Nola and Ports America reopened today to begin working on the backlog of movement caused by the storm. The port had been officially closed since 19 January in anticipation of the wintry temperatures, heavy precipitation and winds. Several inches of snow fell across New Orleans beginning Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, with freezing conditions lasting through Thursday. Both ship and barge loadings and unloadings were significantly delayed across terminals. Several shipping and barge companies announced force majeures before the storm but are expected to reopen within the next couple of days, subject to safety conditions. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
China’s SOP exports in 2024 fall to five-year low
China’s SOP exports in 2024 fall to five-year low
Singapore, 23 January (Argus) — The halt in customs inspections for SOP exports led to a sharp fall in China's shipments in 2024 as export volumes fell to a five-year low. China's SOP exports in 2024 fell by 84pc on the year to just 16,700t, the lowest since 2018, which recorded 8,700t of exports, GTT data show. About 75pc of total 2024 exports took place in the second half of the year, as buyers sought to shift more product in 9.5kg bags. But this type of packaging was not favoured by buyers from Latin American markets which typically buy for bulk blending, as they needed to pay for additional labour costs to remove these bags. As a result, shipments to Peru and Mexico plunged to 23,800t and 2,600t from 8,600t and 40,500t, respectively. South Africa replaced Mexico as the top export destination in 2024, but shipments to South Africa nearly halved on the year to 4,600t. Chinese SOP exports saw significant growth in 2019-20, supported by strong demand from Latin American and south Asian markets. But export volumes took a downturn from 2021 onwards as suppliers were urged to prioritise supplies for the domestic market and keep domestic prices stable. China mainly exports SOP that is produced by the Mannheim process, which uses MOP as a raw material. China depends heavily on MOP imports based on an annual contract price with global major producers as well as a monthly cross-border contract price with Russian producer Uralkali, as its domestic MOP production is not enough to meet the country's needs. Most Chinese suppliers halted export offers for SOP in 9.5kg bags in January, after a change in the customs clearance definition for small-volume exports was implemented from 1 January 2025, making it difficult for suppliers to ship 9.5kg bags in jumbo bags via break bulk vessels. This could further limit China's SOP export availability this year. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil real recovers ground on US dollar
Brazil real recovers ground on US dollar
Sao Paulo, 22 January (Argus) — The Brazilian real continued to strengthen against the US dollar today thanks to increased investor confidence domestically and an easing in the dollar globally in recent days after the real tumbled in the last weeks of 2024 on fiscal concerns. The exchange rate ended the session at R5.946/$1, as the real appreciated by 1.4pc on the day. The real has strengthened by about 7.8pc to the dollar from an intradday low of R6.4/$1 on 25 December. The last time the exchange rate between the two currencies ended the day below the R6/$1 threshold was on 11 December, when it stood at R5.989/$1. The real's recent appreciation took place as domestic investors are more confident about the country's spending cut plans, according to Sidney Lima, an analyst at Ouro Preto Investimentos, an investment management firm. But it is hard to say whether the recent appreciating trend will continue in the future, he said. That will "depend on the continuity of fiscal reforms in Brazil and global economic conditions," he added. At the same time, the US dollar index, which tracks the dollar against six main trading partner currencies, has fallen from a more-than two-year high on 12 January on uncertainty over whether US president Donald Trump will follow through on his tariff threats. Still, the Brazilian real has depreciated by around 20pc to US dollar since 22 January 2024. By Lucas Parolin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India’s RCF gets offers for phosrock, NPS in tender
India’s RCF gets offers for phosrock, NPS in tender
London, 22 January (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer and producer RCF received offers from seven trading firms in its tender to buy phosphate rock and/or NPS 20-20-0+13S, which closed today. TLI Tradelink, Sun International, Agrifields, Aditya Birla, Indagro, Midgulf International and Hexagon Fertilizers Asia submitted offers in the tender. RCF will open the prices after evaluating the technical offers. The importer sought offers for two 35,000t cargoes of 29pc P2O5-minimum phosphate rock. The first cargo is to be shipped within 30 days from issuing the purchase order, with the second cargo in March, both to Hay Bunder, Mumbai on India's west coast. TLI Tradelink, Sun International and Midgulf International offered Egyptian rock for both cargoes. Agrifields and Aditya Birla offered Jordanian rock for both cargoes. Indagro offered Jordanian rock only for the second cargo. RCF also sought offers for two 35,000t cargoes of 20-20-0+13S in the tender. The first cargo is to be shipped on or before 20 March and the second is to be shipped on or before 20 April, both to any port on India's east coast. Midgulf International submitted offers for both NPS cargoes. Hexagon Fertilizers Asia offered only for the second NPS cargo. Fellow importer NFL bought 25,000-30,000t of 20-20-0+13S from Saudi Arabian producer Sabic at $396-397/t cfr earlier this week. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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