Overview

The global market for compound NPKs is one of the most important and dynamic markets in the fertilizer sector. Around 20pc of a total market of over 100mn t was traded between countries in 2023. This traded volume is growing relatively quickly, with an increasing number of fertilizer producers entering the market or expanding their supply base to meet demand from a rising number of buyers. Growth from consumers is well founded on fundamentals. Farmers are under ever-increasing pressure to improve their yields and crop quality, and to use fertilizers efficiently, not only to manage costs but to limit potential environmental losses.

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. Russian exports have been seen shifting from Europe to India, and this is reflected in NPK & NPS grades and trade.

Argus has decades of experience covering the NPKs market. We incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including nitrogen, phosphates, potash and sulphur to provide the full market narrative.

Argus support market participants with:

  • Weekly NPKs price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
  • Bespoke consulting project support

Latest NPKs news

Browse the latest market moving news on the global NPKs industry.

Latest NPKs news
24/12/12

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.

Latest NPKs news

India’s Fact issues tender to buy NPK and NPS


24/12/09
Latest NPKs news
24/12/09

India’s Fact issues tender to buy NPK and NPS

London, 9 December (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer Fact has issued a tender to buy 15,000t each of 15-15-15 and 20-20-0+13S, plus or minus 10pc of the respective quantities, closing on 16 December. The company has requested shipment of the 15-15-15 to Tuticorin port and the 20-20-0+13S to New Mangalore port from 15-25 January next year. Fact last month issued a purchase tender for 20,000t of 20-20-0+13S, after having received no offers in its previous tender for the product. Again, no offers were submitted for this tender by the closing date on 25 November. Fact last month also requested 40,000t of 15-15-15. The company received one offer under this tender, but the offer price was not opened. By Aidan Hall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest NPKs news

Pupuk Indonesia supplies 6.6mn t subsidised fertilizers


24/12/02
Latest NPKs news
24/12/02

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.

Latest NPKs news

Indian NP/NPK stocks drop to below 3mn t


24/11/21
Latest NPKs news
24/11/21

Indian NP/NPK stocks drop to below 3mn t

London, 21 November (Argus) — India's domestic sales of NP/NPK fertilizers have continued to outpace both production and imports, leaving stocks below 3mn t for the first time since February 2023. Domestic sales of NP/NPK under the country's direct benefit transfer system amounted to 1.47mn t in October, up by 45pc on a year earlier. Sales from April-October — the first seven months of India's 2024-25 agricultural year — totalled 8.72mn t, up by 23pc on the year. Domestic NP/NPK production rose by 15pc on the year to 867,900t last month, putting April-October output at about 6.25mn t, up by 11pc on the year. NP/NPK imports in October amounted to 183,000t, up by 51pc on October last year. April-October imports amounted to 1.28mn t, down by 10pc year on year. The data imply total NP/NPK stocks in India of about 2.93mn t at the end of October, down by 12pc on the month and down by 15pc on the year. By Nykole King Indian NP-NPK stockbuild mn t Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest NPKs news

Cameroon's CNPC-C issues NPK tender to buy


24/11/20
Latest NPKs news
24/11/20

Cameroon's CNPC-C issues NPK tender to buy

London, 20 November (Argus) — The national confederation of cotton producers (CNPC-C) has issued a tender to purchase 32,000t of complex fertilizers, closing on 9 December. The CNPC-C requests 16,000t of 22-23-15+5S+1B and 16,000t of 15-20-15+5S+1B, both in 50kg bags, for delivery on an ex-works basis in Douala on or before 28 February. CNPC-C had opened offers against its 24 October tender to buy 45,000t of complex fertilizers and 12,000t of urea. But there were no valid offers for the 16,000t of 22-23-15+5S+1B it requested. It received five valid offers against its request for 29,000t of 14-23-14+5S+1B or 15-20-15+5S+1B, but is now seeking more competitive offers under the fresh tender. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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