Calum Findlay, Gleadell’s fertiliser manager, comments on the fertiliser markets

Granular urea

Activity in the urea market has picked up internationally. All plants in Egypt are in production and the new line in Algeria is also running.
 
Demand in Europe is surfacing; the market is a long way behind a normal season and the shipping window gets forever smaller. Cooperatives in France and across Europe sense an opportunity to take some tonnes ahead of the spring application season, now only 8-10 weeks away.

Values have dipped in tenders sold this week and interest everywhere has suddenly picked up, with a few large parcels traded into Europe.

Ammonium nitrate

CF Fertilisers continues to price aggressively for movement before the new year, despite the price increases announced by Yara in Europe.
 
Importers are feeling this pressure – they have expensive stock in store and prices can do nothing other than remain flat.

Traditional buyers of imported AN should consider all options this season, including UK product.

Phosphate and potash

The market for blended PKs and straights has settled and is likely to trade sideways through Dec/Jan until spring demand picks up.