NPKs
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.
India's Fact issues buy tender for 20-20-0+13S
India's Fact issues buy tender for 20-20-0+13S
London, 18 November (Argus) — Indian importer Fact has issued a fresh tender to buy two 20,000t cargoes of 20-20-0+13S, closing on 25 November, after receiving no offers in its previous tender. Fact has asked for the NPS to be shipped in two 20,000t cargoes on or before 25 December, the first for arrival to Tuticorin and the second to Kakinada. Fact had previously issued a similar purchase tender for the same grade that closed on 15 November , but received no offers. The importer did receive one offer in its 15 November buy tender for 40,000t of 15-15-15, but it has not opened the price. A spot sale of 25,000t of Saudi 20-20-0+13S was sold into India last week at $400/t cfr duty unpaid, a similar level to the last business concluded for the NPS grade. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India's RCF issues tender for MOP and 10-26-26
India's RCF issues tender for MOP and 10-26-26
London, 15 November (Argus) — Indian importer RCF has floated a tender for 30,000t of standard MOP and 30,000t of 10-26-26, closing on 18 November. Shipments are to be made to any of India's east coast ports before 30 November. Suppliers can submit offers for either or both products. Offers should be valid until 22 November. The MOP supplied should be red, pink, white or off-white. The NPK is requested to be white or off-white. RCF also has pending tenders for 15-15-15 and 20-20-0+13S. Fellow importer Fact recently awarded its 10 October tender to buy 40,000t of standard MOP to Russian fertilizer producer Uralkali at $283/t cfr with 180 days credit, the prevailing contract price in India. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
LAT Nitrogen halts sales to Germany on high gas costs
LAT Nitrogen halts sales to Germany on high gas costs
London, 14 November (Argus) — Major European producer LAT Nitrogen has withdrawn from the German market today owing to a surge in gas costs. LAT Nitrogen produces nitrogen-based products for the fertilizer and industrial chemical markets. It sells CAN, ASN and NPK 15-15-15 to the German market. "We will closely monitor the development of gas prices before considering a return to the market," LAT Nitrogen market intelligence and demand planning analyst Harald Lindner said. Front-month natural gas prices on the Dutch TTF have climbed steadily over the past two months, reaching more than €45/MWh today, up by €10/MWh from September. CAN is a key nitrogen fertilizer used in the German market and spot prices have stagnated at about €280/t bulk cif inland and have failed to grow ahead of the season, despite higher list prices. Yara raised its CAN asking price on 16 October to €305/t bulk cif inland for delivery to Germany and the Benelux countries, up from its previous offer of €295/t bulk cif inland. Buying interest from farmers has been incredibly slow ahead of spring applications this year. Market coverage in Germany for nitrogen fertilizers for the 2024-25 fertilizer year is estimated to be 40-45pc, down from an average of 60-65pc by mid-November. Weak grain prices, reduced farm incomes and warehouses full of unsold agricultural produce are also said to be behind the lack of demand for fertilizers from consumers. Some wholesalers are expecting sales to remain slow until the start of 2025, which will give distributors logistical challenges to deliver product ahead of early spring applications. LAT Nitrogen began maintenance in mid-September on some of the lines at its Linz site in Austria, affecting downstream fertilizer output of ammonia, nitric acid, CAN and NPKs. This was due to be finished by early November. The Linz site is a major source of fertilizers for central and eastern Europe, with CAN 27 annual production roughly at or above 600,000t in typical recent years, according to latest IFA data. The 429,000 t/yr prilled urea plant at Linz was unaffected by the maintenance and is running as normal. By Suzie Skipper Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Nutrien begins work on new fertilizer facility in WA
Nutrien begins work on new fertilizer facility in WA
Sydney, 12 November (Argus) — North American fertilizer producer Nutrien has started work on a new A$70mn ($46mn) fertiliser distribution centre and storage facility at Kwinana port in Western Australia (WA) after a fire damaged some port infrastructure at the Kwinana bulk jetty on 9 February. The fire damaged Nutrien's bulk fertilizer site holding granular products, an import system conveyor, associated transfer towers and a shed leased for the storage of fertilizer while the company's liquid bulk fertilizer storage and chemical manufacturing facilities were unscathed. Nutrien expects the new distribution centre to be operational in 2026. The new site will be located at East Rockingham, 2km away from the previous facility at the Kwinana bulk jetty, and will increase the company's bulk granular fertilizer storage capacity by 20pc to 130,000t. The new facility will feature three undercover outloads, more slots for storage, twin blending lines, pits and wheel washers on site for trucks. It will also have dedicated loading equipment with improved loading systems that will allow for improved loading speeds and operating conditions. The new distribution centre will complement Nutrien's other WA facilities ,which include a liquid fertilizer manufacturing plant, research facilities and more than 70 stores throughout metropolitan and regional WA. Since the fire, the Fremantle Ports Authority has supported Nutrien to continue operating at the Kwinana bulk jetty to meet the needs of its customers. The bulk jetty is owned and operated by Fremantle Ports, handling bulk commodities such as fertilizers, sulphur, cement clinker and petroleum products. "Nutrien will continue to supply farmers with fertilizer from its existing Kwinana site throughout the 2025 season prior to the new East Rockingham facility becoming operational," managing director Kelly Freeman said in a press statement. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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