NPKs
Overview
The global market for compound NPKs is one of the most important and dynamic markets in the fertilizer sector. Greater agricultural sophistication is bringing an increasing variety of grades to the market. Producers are also striving to move from commodity grades, such as 15-15-15, to more specific formulations (often tailored to specific customer needs) to increase nutrient-use efficiency and capture market share.
The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has also seen major shifts in trade flows, given Russia’s significant compound-NPK capacity, and Russian-origin product has long been seen as a benchmark for high-quality NPKs.
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Latest NPKs news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global NPKs industry.
Norway’s Yara fertilizer output, deliveries rise in 1Q
Norway’s Yara fertilizer output, deliveries rise in 1Q
London, 25 April (Argus) — Norwegian fertilizer producer Yara posted an increase in its output, earnings and deliveries in January-March compared with the previous year. Yara's finished-fertilizer output in the first quarter rose to 4.9mn t, up by 6pc on the year, driven by increased demand. Yara's financial year runs from January to December. Yara's first-quarter urea production stood at just over 1.1mn t, down by 5pc on the year, while nitrate output jumped to 1.48mn t, up by 19pc on the year. First-quarter NPK output also rose to 1.59mn t, up by 7pc on the year. Its ammonia output in the quarter stood at 1.72mn t, marking a slight 1pc decline from the 1.74mn t produced a year earlier. Yara's first-quarter fertilizer deliveries rose to 5.8mn t, up by 10pc on the year, mainly driven by Europe and Brazil. Its first-quarter earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda), excluding special items, stood at $638mn, a jump of 47pc from a year ago, owing to increased deliveries, mainly driven by Europe and Brazil, higher margins and reduced fixed costs. US tariffs limit impact on urea markets Although the geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, the US tariffs announced in April have had a "limited impact on the global urea markets so far but could lead to altering trade flows", according to Yara. The producer's imports into the US are limited and represent less than 5pc of consolidated revenues and delivered volumes, it said. Yara said that it is prioritising higher-return core assets and is therefore targeting a reduction of fixed cost and capex of $150mn by the end of 2025. The producer said that it is on track to ensure that the fixed cost run-rate inflation of $2.38bn pre-2026 will be achieved. Yara expects to see a tightening global supply balance in the future as industry projections for supply growth for 2025 onwards are significantly below trend consumption growth. "Combined with strong demand fundamentals, this indicates a tightening global supply/demand balance in the coming years, improving European production margins as gas prices are expected to be lower," Yara said. But China's export policy remains a key uncertainty, especially for the short-term global supply/demand balance. By Suzie Skipper Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Malaysia sets new haulier limits at Port Klang
Malaysia sets new haulier limits at Port Klang
Singapore, 11 April (Argus) — The Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) — under the transport ministry's directive — hasset operational weight limitson hauliers operating at port Klang effective from 1 May, possibly raising logistical costs for some fertilizer importers. The majority of haulier equipment used at port Klang has a maximum capacity of 38,000kg (38t), and the AMH has set a verified gross mass (VGM) weight limit of 25,000kg (25t). This results in trailers of 20ft and 40ft having a VGM limit of 25,000kg (25t), while side loaders will be imposed a VGM limit of 22,000kg (22t). These new weight limits could increase logistical costs for fertilizer importers, especially those using side loader hauliers, according to one fertilizer importer. Importers could previously load around 24-25t of product, but imposing a weight limit would mean that importers using side loader hauliers must pay for more containers for the same cargo size. Importers typically use side-load hauliers if they are importing large volumes of product, as it is more efficient. But this new regulation is unlikely to affect urea fertilizers as the typical volume for a urea cargo is usually around 21t, the importer said. The limits would more likely impact the loadings of fertilizers like phosphates, NPKs and potash. One NPK producer indicated that this could raise their import costs for incoming cargoes at port Klang by around 10pc. Some Malaysian importers have also indicated that they only ship cargoes in 25t containers and they would not be affected, as the policy is only limited to port Klang and 24t containers. Others have filed complaints to the port Klang authorities and are expecting to receive more feedback next week. By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Most US ferts imports to be tariffed, potash exempt
Most US ferts imports to be tariffed, potash exempt
London, 3 April (Argus) — Nearly every country that sends fertilizer products to the US will be hit with fresh import duties after President Donald Trump yesterday announced reciprocal tariff policies that are likely to increase nutrient prices in the US. According to the White House administration, a baseline 10pc tariff will be imposed on all goods from all countries imported into the US excluding those compliant with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Non-compliant Canadian and Mexican goods will continue to be charged at a 25pc rate, although potash that is deemed to be non-compliant will pay a reduced rate of 10pc. Imports of goods from other nations will begin paying the baseline 10pc rate on 5 April, while roughly 60 countries were given more specific reciprocal tariff rates based on the rates those countries have placed on US goods. The US imports a significant amount of fertilizer products from other countries to supplement limited domestic production capabilities. Non-North American countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago are well known names in the fertilizer market as major producers that ship a large amount of product to the US. Under the new sweeping tariff policy Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago and Australia can expect a 10pc duty on all imports sent to the US, while Israel can expect a 17pc duty and Jordan will face a 20pc duty. A 28pc tariff will be applied to imports from Tunisia. Russia is also a major supplier of fertilizers to the US and a reciprocal tariff does not apply to the country. But there is uncertainty as to whether Russia is exempt from the universal 10pc rate applied to other countries. Phosphates Countervailing duties largely blocking Russian and Moroccan phosphates have enabled Saudi Arabia to grow its share of US DAP/MAP imports to 45pc in 2024, according to GTT data. They also opened the door to non-traditional suppliers including Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia, which together accounted for 21pc of US DAP/MAP imports last year. Australia has been a regular supplier to the US, averaging 9pc of imports over the past five years — although this fell to 4pc in 2024. The base 10pc tariff applied to Morocco will add to the countervailing duties in place and act as more of a deterrent. Still, customs data show that 10pc of DAP/MAP imports came from Morocco last year. Mexico supplied 318,000t of DAP/MAP to the US last year, accounting for 14pc of total imports. But the 25pc tariff imposed a month ago will probably stifle this trade flow. MAP barge prices in the US are currently equivalent to the mid-$660s/t cfr Nola. Latest MAP sales to Brazil were at $660/t cfr but indications are now reaching $680/t cfr. After these latest tariffs come into effect on 5 April, US buyers will have to pay more to secure phosphate supply, otherwise cargoes will be drawn to more attractive markets, such as Latin America. Potassium-based products, phos rock escape tariffs The White House also confirmed in an annex that some goods will be exempt from these latest tariffs including certain critical minerals. Goods that will be spared include a number of potassium-based fertilizer products — MOP, SOP, NOP, NPK and magnesium sulphate. Trump last month included potash in the administration's list of American critical minerals, and ordered the US government to fast-track permit reviews for critical minerals projects . The majority of the US' MOP supply is imported, with 98pc/yr coming from other countries, and 85pc of that from Canada, according to TFI data. The US typically imports 11mn-13mn t/yr of MOP, although GTT data show that the US imported close to 14mn t of MOP in 2024. USMCA still effective Tariffs on North American countries Mexico and Canada will continue within the status quo of an executive order issued in early March. All products covered under the USMCA free trade agreement will continue to be imported into the US without tariffs. USMCA compliant products include wholly created goods in Mexico or Canada, such as sulphur, MOP, ammonia and other nitrogen fertilizers, but goods produced with inputs that come from other countries, such as phosphate fertilizers manufactured in Mexico, are at greater risk of being tariffed, depending on how rules of origin outlined in the USMCA are enforced. Phosphate fertilizers produced in Mexico use imported phosphate rock as well as some imported ammonia, while the same products manufactured in Canada, for example, use domestically produced rock. The US fertilizer market is currently barrelling towards the final weeks of the spring application season, where nutrients are put into the ground as crop planting continues. Therefore most fertilizer purchasing for the spring has now taken place. But with the new tariffs applying to the majority of nutrient imports into the US, domestic prices and barge trade activity could accelerate above the norm as the market scurries to secure product before prices move to even more unfavourable levels. By Taylor Zavala, Julia Campbell and Tom Hampson New US import tariffs Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Henan XLX, Liven tie up to supply fertilizer to SE Asia
Henan XLX, Liven tie up to supply fertilizer to SE Asia
Singapore, 25 March (Argus) — Chinese fertilizer producer Henan Xinlianxin International Trading and Singapore-based trading firm Liven Nutrients have partnered to distribute urea and NPK fertilizers to southeast Asia from Henan Xinlianxin's new fertilizer production plant in Guangxi province. Xinlianxin's fertilizer unit in Guangxi is expected to be fully completed by 2027. The unit will produce both NPK and urea fertilizers. Phase 1 of NPK production at the site has started, with the plant producing around 300,000 t/yr of NPK fertilizers currently. Urea production capacity is expected to come on line in 2027. Fertilizers produced at Xinlianxin's Guangxi unit are targeted for export to southeast Asia. The firms will use multiple transportation channels including waterways, railroads and roads. The expected opening of Vietnam's new Binh Lu Canal in late 2026 will further enhance connectivity between Guangxi and northern Vietnam, especially for container shipments. Transportation between Guangxi to other southeast Asian countries currently takes a few days. Henan Xinlianxin is a Chinese fertilizer manufacturer with major production bases in Henan, Xinjiang, and Jiangxi provinces. The company's total NPK production capacity averages around 4.4mn-4.5mn t/yr, with around 4mn t/yr of urea production. By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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