Calum Findlay, Gleadell’s Fertiliser Manager, comments on the fertiliser markets:

Alzon 46

A very cost competitive way of bridging the gap between AN and Urea, Alzon continues to create a lot of interest. Already used extensively across Germany, this stabilised nitrogen fertiliser allows earlier and higher application rates without the risk of nitrate loss or luxury uptake, with reduced costs due to the fewer passes required.. Gleadell can offer delivery on a February basis but the amount of available product is restricted so talk to your Gleadell farm trader today.
 
Urea

Global markets continue to lack any real direction or demand, although the problems in Egypt are starting to ease. FOB values achieved at a tender this week have slipped by $5–8/t and the £/$ rate is also helping UK values. Granular urea buyers have returned to the market wanting to place orders before the Christmas period for Jan / Feb delivery, when Gleadell imports will be in full flow. Any takers of bulk urea should be addressing this now as this is the cheapest and most cost-effective way of taking product. Values look very attractive when compared to ammonium nitrate levels.

AN

Imported ammonium nitrate continues to be delivered to farm at about a £ 10/t discount to UK product but this is purely a logistical exercise, clearing stores in advance of new arrivals. In reality values are continuing to firm, the gap between imported product and UK is starting to narrow and GrowHow, with product on the ground, will be in a much stronger position as we enter January. Prices will get squeezed further and the market will enter a period in Feb / March where deliveries are impossible at short notice. Changes in transport legislation will also force more hauliers out of the fertiliser business, adding further pressure to pricing, so buying at least some of your requirement today is recommended.

NPK

With nitrogen and potash prices rising, we expect to see a steady increase in NPK values as we enter January. Potash is firming following the mine accident reported by Uralkali, the world's top potash producer, which is likely to reduce global supplies and push up prices worldwide. The mine accounts for a fifth of the company's output and 3.5% of global capacity, so with a huge UK Spring market to service Gleadell would advise taking product pre-Christmas.