Nitrogen
Overview
The ease of urea availability east and west of Suez has shaped the current trade flows of this key nitrogen fertilizer. Despite challenges posed by energy prices and military conflicts, key import markets such as India, Australia, and Latin America remain robust. But structural oversupply and the role of China as a swing exporter have led to price volatility as this fast-moving market seeks equilibrium, more so during seasonally high-demand periods.
Our extensive nitrogen coverage includes prilled and granular urea, UAN, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulphate. Argus has many decades of experience covering the nitrogen market and incorporates our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including ammonia and natural gas to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Daily and weekly nitrogen price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of urea prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest nitrogen news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global nitrogen industry.
US rail group optimistic about 2025 rail demand
US rail group optimistic about 2025 rail demand
Washington, 12 December (Argus) — US rail volume is likely to start strong in 2025, but railroads will need to navigate changing federal policies, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said. Volume next year hinges on a few key factors, including the resilience of consumer spending, strength in the labor market, and the trajectory of inflation and interest rates, the group said. Railroads will need to remain vigilant as these economic indicators will be critical in helping assess rail traffic and broader economic health in the months ahead, AAR said. "Strong intermodal growth and stable consumer demand offers reasons for optimism," AAR said. "But railroads and the economy alike must navigate evolving policies and potential disruptions" as the US enters 2025 under a new administration, the group said. The AAR'S optimism comes as rail traffic in November "while by no means stellar, suggests that the broader economy remains on stable footing", AAR said. US intermodal rail volume set new records in November. The increase reflected strong consumer demand following job gains that pushed increased spending, AAR said. Intermodal traffic is made up primarily of consumer goods shipped in containers between different modes of transportation, although some scrap metal and specialty agriculture products ship this way. US railroads loaded an average of 282,000 intermodal containers and trailers per week, up by 11pc from a year earlier. That was the highest weekly average for any November since AAR began tracking intermodal data in 1989. Carload traffic fell by 3.8pc compared with November 2023. Carload traffic is primarily made up of commodities. Coal was the "biggest problem", AAR said. US railroads loaded 15pc less coal last month compared with a year earlier, while year-to-date loadings were down by 14pc from the same 11 months in 2023. If coal were excluded, monthly US carload traffic in November would have notched a 10th consecutive year-on-year increase. Industrial products volume was down by 1pc from a year earlier. Manufacturing is a major driver of US carload traffic, and that sector remains sluggish, AAR said. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours
Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours
London, 12 December (Argus) — The Namibian government has prohibited the import, storage, packaging and transit of fertilizers for delivery to countries other than Namibia. A notice was issued by the agriculture, water and land reform ministry (MAWLR) on 22 November to all companies revoking the importation and in-transit permits for fertilizers. It states that companies have 21 days to package the product in 1t bags and export the material or "surrender the products for destruction" at the company's cost. The ban comes into effect on 13 December. The notice applies to urea, MAP, DAP, amsul, CAN, NOP, MOP, SOP, NPK and magnesium sulphate. The duration of this ban is not yet known. Vessels offloading cargo intended for delivery outside Namibia will not be allowed to dock. The notice cites that the handling and storage of bulk and bagged fertilizers at Walvis Bay does not meet regulatory requirements. It also states that environmental and safety risks for contamination, leakage and exposure to external elements could have a long-term effect. The Walvis Bay port is used for offloading fertilizer deliveries before they are transited to inland countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Shipments for these countries are now likely to be rerouted through Beira, Mozambique. Negotiations between the governments of Namibia and Zambia are reportedly under way. Zambia is currently experiencing a severe fertilizer shortage, and given the delays at Beira, importing via Namibia and transporting it inland is the country's next best alternative to procure the volumes in time. By Upasruti Biswas and Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Yara lifts calcium ammonium nitrate offers to NW Europe
Yara lifts calcium ammonium nitrate offers to NW Europe
Amsterdam, 9 December (Argus) — Norwegian fertilizer major Yara has announced its latest price for calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) for January delivery to German and Benelux markets, higher by €12/t from offers for December delivery. Yara has upped its CAN 27 offer to €317/t cif Germany and Benelux for January delivery, from €305/t cif for December . The upward revision follows firmer European natural gas prices, and an according increase in ammonia production costs, in recent months. Argus' day-ahead assessment of gas at the TTF closed at just over $14.2/mn Btu on 6 December, up from around $12/mn Btu at the start of September. Argus assessed spot prices for CAN 27 in Germany at €295-300/t cif inland on 5 December, with slower activity last week and limited buyer interest at prices above €300/t. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Pupuk Indonesia supplies 6.6mn t subsidised fertilizers
Pupuk Indonesia supplies 6.6mn t subsidised fertilizers
Singapore, 2 December (Argus) — State-owned Pupuk Indonesia has distributed about 6.6mn t of subsidised fertilizers to registered domestic farmers as of late November. This is around 87.7pc of the total contract volume of 7.54mn t with the Ministry of Agriculture, according to Pupuk on 2 December. The distributed volumes consists of 3.36mn t of urea, 3.21mn t of NPK fertilizers, and 38,400t of Pupuk's Petroganik organic fertilizers. The recent allocations of subsidised fertilizers aim to help domestic farmers maximise crop productivity during the seasonal crop application period from October to March. Farmers that are members of a farmers' group, individually registered with the Agricultural Extension Management Information System (SIMLUHTAN), and farm no more than two hectares of land are eligible to receive the subsidised fertilizers. The allocation of subsidized fertilizers is also limited to farmers who cultivate nine strategic crops: rice, corn, soybeans, chilli, onions, garlic, coffee, sugarcane, and cocoa. The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture increased Pupuk Indonesia's 2024 subsidised fertilizer allocation volumes to 9.5mn t in April. This aimed to boost domestic agricultural productivity and support national food security efforts. Pupuk Indonesia is likely to continue increasing its production and distribution of subsidised fertilizers for the domestic sector next year, in line with the Indonesian government's plan to launch a program to develop around 3mn hectares of new rice fields . By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights
The complimentary Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights package includes:
• Bi-weekly Fertilizer Newsletter
• Monthly Market Update Video
• Bi-monthly Fertilizer Focus Magazine
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