Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest market news

Brunei Fertilizer sells first urea cargoes

  • Market: Fertilizers
  • 26/01/22

State-owned producer Brunei Fertilizer Industries (BFI) has sold its first two granular urea cargoes comprising 6,000-7,000t each for delivery to Thailand and South Korea.

The cargo for Thailand is expected to be delivered later this week, while the cargo for South Korea will be delivered in early February.

The deal was likely concluded at $740-750/t cfr, according to several market participants. Freight from Brunei to Thailand is estimated at around the mid-$20s/t.

BFI is ramping up production at its 1.3mn t/yr urea plant that recently went into commercial operation.


Sharelinkedin-sharetwitter-sharefacebook-shareemail-share

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News
24/04/25

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

Water levels delay Tennessee River lock reopening

Houston, 24 April (Argus) — The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will delay the reopening of the Tennessee River's Wilson Lock by three weeks after high floodwater disrupted repair plans. The Wilson Lock is now planned to reopen in mid-June or July, the Corps said this week. The lock's main chamber has been closed since September after severe cracks were found in the structure. The Corps initiated evacuation procedures so personnel and equipment could be removed before any water entered the dewatered lock and ruined repairs after high water appeared too close to the lock's edge. The water did not crest above the temporary barrier the Corps installed to keep water out. Delays at the lock averaged around 10 days as of 24 April, according to the Corps. Barge carriers fees have been in place for each barge that must pass through the auxiliary chamber of the lock since 25 September, when the lock first closed. Restricted barge movement placed upward pressure on fertilizer prices in surrounding areas as well. The lock still requires structural repairs to the main chamber gates, including the replacement of the pintle components, the Corps said. This is the fourth opening delay the Corps have issued for the Wilson Lock, with the prior opening dates being in November , then April and then in June . The Wilson Lock will enter its eighth month of repairs next month. By Meghan Yoyotte and Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more
News

Algerian urea to head to India for IPL tender


24/04/25
News
24/04/25

Algerian urea to head to India for IPL tender

Amsterdam, 24 April (Argus) — Swiss trading firm Ameropa is set to load 45,000t of Algerian granular urea for India under IPL's 8 April tender, marking the first urea shipment along that route since December 2023. The firm has nominated the Spar Tarus to sail for the Indian east coast. The shipment highlights the fallout from US president Donald Trump's import tariff levy rollout, combined with dwindling demand in Europe and Brazil. The US had placed an initial import tariff of 30pc on Algerian urea on 2 April , before granting a 90-day reprieve on 9 April. The US had been Algeria's second-largest destination market after Brazil, with Algeria's urea supplies accounting for 456,000t of US imports last year and shipping as much as 590,000t to the US in 2023. The lack of clarity on the situation in the US likely forced the pivot towards India, with the Indian east coast price of $398.24/t cfr under IPL's enquiry offering higher netbacks and liquidity compared with Europe and Brazil at the time. But the US market has since firmed further, increasing its attractiveness, despite the 10pc import tariffs in place. Domestic urea barge prices jumped to $435-470/short ton fob Nola on 23 April, while the European spring season is coming to an end and Brazil's appetite remains comparatively lacklustre. Algeria benefits from a sailing time of 20-24 days to the US, depending on the destination port, the shortest among major producers. The Phatra Naree has been nominated to load around 35,000t of urea from Algeria's Arzew city to the US on 27 April, according to trade analytics firm Kpler data. Meanwhile, Egyptian producer Mopco sold 30,000t of granular urea at $395/t fob on 23 April, likely for the US. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Brazil's Rifertil files for bankruptcy protection


23/04/25
News
23/04/25

Brazil's Rifertil files for bankruptcy protection

Sao Paulo, 23 April (Argus) — Brazilian fertilizer producer Rifertil filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors, citing a debt load inflated by currency impacts, falling prices and tough sector conditions caused by drought last year. Rifertil's debts total R647.9mn ($112.7mn), according to a document seen by Argus , which was filed with the civil court of Rio Verde, in central-western Goias state. The request, also confirmed by the office of the company's attorney, was filed on 22 April and is now awaiting analysis by the Goias court. The bankruptcy protection filing highlights that the fertilizer sector has been facing difficulties since 2022, when nutrient prices were high because of the Covid-19 pandemic and, later, because of the beginning of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. At that time, predictions such as a shortage in the global fertilizer market contributed to an increase in fertilizer prices. But the forecasts did not materialize and prices fell in the following months, causing losses that have hit the company's cash flow since then. The document also highlights problems faced by producers in Goias, the company's main market and headquarters. Between the last quarter of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, many cities in Goias declared states of emergency because of drier than usual weather conditions. This contributed to a lack of liquidity for producers, hurting Brazil's agribusiness, especially from an increase in defaults from customers. Rifertil's attorney also said that the US dollar's strengthening to the Brazilian real throughout the second half of 2024 inflated the company's debt, since many products and services in the fertilizer sector are traded in US dollars. The company was founded in 2000 and its headquarters is in Rio Verde city, in Goias. It also has factories in Catalao city, Goias, and Maruim city, in northern Sergipe state. The three units' combined capacity is of 750,000 metric tonnes/yr. By João Petrini Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Kaltim granular urea bid in low $400s/t fob Indonesia


22/04/25
News
22/04/25

Kaltim granular urea bid in low $400s/t fob Indonesia

Amsterdam, 22 April (Argus) — A trading firm is understood to have bid $402/t fob Bontang in Pupuk Indonesia subsidiary Kaltim's granular urea sales tender today. Other bids were heard around and above $400/t fob, but most were in the $390s/t fob and below. But there was no comment from the parties involved. Kaltim offered 45,000t of bulk granular urea for shipment in the first week of May. Bids were to be valid until 24 April. This enquiry follows BFI's sales tender in Brunei on 17 April for three lots of 6,000t of granular urea, which saw a trading firm bid up to around $405/t fob for second-half-May loading. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

US' Chinese ship port fee decision Thursday: USTR


16/04/25
News
16/04/25

US' Chinese ship port fee decision Thursday: USTR

New York, 16 April (Argus) — The US Trade Representative's (USTR) office said it will release details Thursday on proposed fees for operators of Chinese-built ships calling at US ports. The closely-watched proposals — part of President Donald Trump's plan to kick-start a flagging US shipbuilding industry and challenge Chinese dominance in the sector — were the subject of hearings and public comments last month in Washington, DC. The original proposal included fees of up to $1.5mn per port call for ships based on the percentage of Chinese-built vessels in an operator's fleet. Shipping market participants said the proposals could significantly curtail US import and exports and hurt the broader economy. Higher costs for shipping would likely be passed on to US consumers . Since the public hearings, the USTR has signaled that the fees would likely be less onerous than under the original proposal, and that not all of them would be implemented . By Charlotte Bawol Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more