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

Urea

After the close of the recent Indian tender, 700,000t has been booked, mainly of Chinese and Iranian origin.

Global prices continue to rise and a tender by one Egyptian producer due soon will be a good indicator of the market’s firmness.

Offers across Europe have moved up as buying interest improves. UK importers have also reacted to the firmer market tone.

Ammonium nitrate

GrowHow (CF Fertilisers UK Limited) has moved to November terms but remains aggressive in the marketplace as it looks to gain share.

Indications are for a monthly price increase, benefiting those who can take product now.

NPK

GrowHow NPK compounds are competitively priced compared with blends and are well worth considering. New November terms indicated a £5/t increase and, as demand returns for phosphate and potash, further increases are likely.

Potash has traded sideways and remains at recent lows, whilst phosphate markets continue to look stable.