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.
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Latest nitrogen news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global nitrogen industry.
Pupuk Indonesia closes tender to buy amsul
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.
Gas returns to Egyptian urea plants
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.
Malaysia’s January-July urea exports rise
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.
Ethiopian EABC urea tender's lowest offer at $355/t cif
Ethiopian EABC urea tender's lowest offer at $355/t cif
London, 17 September (Argus) — Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses (EABC) closed a tender today to buy 250,000t of urea in five cargoes for September-October loading, with the lowest offer at $355/t cif. Pacific International appears to have offered at the lowest levels across all five cargoes on a cif basis. The firm offered lot 1 at $355/t cif, lot 2 at $359/t cif, while the offers on cif basis for the remaining three cargoes were at $368/t, $373/t, and $375/t, respectively. The urea is likely to be sourced from Oman. There were also seven other offers from suppliers. West Trade offered all cargoes, similarly to be sourced from Oman, on a cif basis at $375/t, $378/t, $380/t, $385/t and $382/t for lots 1-5, respectively. Midgulf likely offered one cargo under lot 5 at $410/t fob Egypt. Samsung offered three cargoes on a fob basis at $352/t fob Middle East, $375/t fob Egypt, and $362/t fob Middle East for lots 1,3 and 5. Supplier Fertiglobe appears to have offered $348/t fob under the first lot. ETG offered five cargoes, four of which are likely to be supplied from Onne, Nigeria, and offers were around $418/t cif, 419/t cif, $435/t cif and $422/t cif. Lot 4 was offered at $422/t cif basis and is likely to be sourced from Egypt. But there was no confirmation from the parties involved. Another supplier offered $450/t cif for lot 4. The lowest offer at $355/t cif marks a drop from $363/t cif under EABC's 12 July tender . By Dana Hjeij Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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