Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrate prices in France increased again this week by €5, with the euro having fallen by 3.5% since the last price rise at the start of the year.

In the UK, GrowHow mirrored this, with March terms reflecting a £3/t increase across nitrogen and nitrogen sulphur grades. Imported product is struggling to move up in price as longholders compete to move tonnes in a lacklustre market. There are sufficient tonnes sitting in UK stores – movement is the main problem that merchants and suppliers face.

Urea
India, one of the largest urea buyers, issued a press release this week stating that any initial reports of fertiliser shortages were untrue and that sufficient tonnages were available.

European buying remains slow. There is enough cover for immediate applications after which growers will return to the market.

Phosphates
Phosphate prices have stabilised over the past few weeks globally, although UK prices seem to be under pressure as blenders compete for business in a domestic market that will be squeezed as top-up buyers re-enter the market.