Sustainable and specialty fertilizers
Overview
The importance of sustainable and specialty fertilizer markets has grown as producers diversify their product ranges and end users seek more efficient fertilizer compositions. These developments have been further impacted by the drive towards sustainability, which has accelerated interest in these markets.
Argus market experts have many years of experience in these sectors, incorporating price reporting, cost calculations, fundamentals analysis and forecasting.
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Latest sustainable and specialty fertilizers news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global sustainable and specialty fertilizers markets
China's NP/NPS exports hit record high in January-March
China's NP/NPS exports hit record high in January-March
Singapore, 28 April (Argus) — China's NP/NPS exports jumped by more than eightfold to an all-time high of about 614,000t over January-March, latest trade data show, as it is a more affordable alternative to DAP/MAP, given tighter phosphate export availability and higher fertilizer prices globally. This was largely driven by record-high shipments to Brazil and India in the first quarter, both of which did not receive any NP/NPS exports a year earlier. Shipments to Brazil and India reached 315,000t and 94,000t respectively in January-March. China exported more formulas, including NP 8-40-0, to Brazil so far this year as a lower-priced alternative to MAP, given higher fertilizer prices in Brazil. Indian importers are also seeking more NPKs and NPS, such as 20-20-0+13S, because of a lack of DAP fertilizer supply out of China. Such imports into India also allow the importer to maintain a positive margin under the current subsidy and maximum retail price, as compared to importing DAP. China's NPK exports over January-March also nearly tripled from a year earlier to 169,000t, which is also a four-year high, largely driven by an eightfold increase in shipments to the Philippines, its largest importer at about 63,000t. Favourable weather conditions this year led to more local rice production, according to the Philippines' Department of Agriculture, likely contributing to an increase in demand for complex fertilizers. The El Niño phenomenon hit the Philippines in the first quarter of 2024, when prolonged periods of dry spells damaged about 780,000 hectares of crops across 271,000t of agricultural land, which likely affected fertilizer demand and affordability last year. Lower prices of 16-20 from China in the first quarter compared to a year earlier, according to Argus , also likely boosted affordability levels. Some Chinese DAP producers have switched their production line to producing NP/NPS to cater to the growing demand from overseas buyers, alongside the end of the domestic spring season and slowing domestic demand for DAP. The lack of clarity on DAP/MAP exports also supported Chinese phosphate producers in pivoting to more NP/NPS exports . Exports availability of phosphates may reduce shipments of NP/NPS in favour of DAP/MAP. Suppliers are also expecting more demand from Brazil this year, according to market participants, as China is likely to import more soybeans from Brazil in light of recent tariffs imposed on US imports. Firm DAP prices in India are also likely to continue pushing Indian importers to buy more NP/NPS. Importers in India have cancelled at least three sales of DAP above $690/t cfr from Russia and Tunisia. But there was no confirmation of the cancellations from the suppliers. By Camila Tay China NP/NPS exports 2024 (t) Brazil India Australia Vietnam Others Total January 60,600 26,500 38,196 16,219 10,514 152,029 February 129,553 0 12,520 13,993 68,689 224,755 March 124,680 67,900 0 15,481 29,524 237,585 Total 314,833 94,400 50,716 45,693 108,727 614,369 Source: GTT China NPK exports 2024 (t) Philippines Myanmar Laos Australia Others Total January 24,064 8,654 8,977 832 23,449 65,976 February 3,168 12,080 2,628 286 18,916 37,078 March 35,640 10,744 2,009 15,481 2,315 66,189 Total 62,872 31,478 13,614 16,599 44,680 169,243 Source: GTT Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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.
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.
Algerian urea to head to India for IPL tender
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.
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