Plenty of interest pre-Christmas for Ammonium nitrate (AN) means demand for AN remains strong as the outlook for crops looks good. Autumn drilling went well and Gleadell anticipate AN prices rising from as early as January 13 as producers look to purchase fertiliser to feed good crops.

Despite a quiet period for Urea, Gleadell also reckon it is set to rise. With a firm global market and the US and India needing to buy more tonnage, demand should remain strong.

“Manufacturers are now in a position of strength and are in no hurry to discount values,” Mr Findlay said.

He also reckoned the phosphate market would rebound too with fresh demand and interest from South America and Australia with India yet to commit.

“Some significant price gains in the weeks ahead are likely,” Mr Findlay continued.

Potash prices remained uncertain he reckoned.