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

Place orders now to avoid delivery delays

The recent bout of heavy rainfall has delayed first fertiliser applications and further showers are forecast across the UK. Importers are using this time to discharge delayed vessels and move tonnes swiftly through bagging to catch up with deliveries. All blenders have now moved onto March deliveries and we would urge the many growers still to place their final orders to book immediately to avoid late or non-delivery.

Urea

Global urea markets remain weak for spot shipments with little fresh demand. European and US markets remain flat, but traders anticipate market activity picking up in the coming weeks. In the UK, demand remains low, although we expect the next flurry of purchases over the next couple of weeks.

Ammonium nitrate

This week UK producer GrowHow increased its February prices by £3/t. Values for March deliveries on UK and imported product are up by £5/t, so buying sooner rather later is recommended.

NPK/PK

As mentioned in last week’s report, phosphate prices continue to firm due to significant buying from India and Europe. However, UK phosphates for straights continue to be squeezed as blenders and merchants compete for spring tonnes. Blended NPK/PK products are up on last week and will continue to firm in the weeks ahead as demand increases.