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Corn, cotton output push Brazil harvest to record

  • : Fertilizers
  • 19/09/10

Brazil's grains and oilseeds crop rose by 6.4pc to a record 242mn metric tonnes (t) in the 2018-2019 harvest, boosted by increased corn and cotton output.

The total compared with 227.7mn t from last year's crop, the country's agricultural statistics agency Conab said in its final report on the season ended 30 June.

The corn harvest rose by 24pc to a record 100mn t in 2018-19 from the prior year. The final number was pulled higher by favorable weather conditions for winter corn, which accounts for nearly two thirds of all the country's cereal production.

Cotton lint output rose by 36pc to 2.7mn t, also a record, from the 2017-18 harvest. Conab cited attractive currency exchange rates and commodity prices as key factors for the acreage expansion, especially in the states of Bahia and Mato Grosso. Brazilian cotton producers sowed 1.61mn hectares (3.95mn acres) in 2018-19, a 38pc increase on the prior year.

Soybean output fell by 3.6pc to 115mn t, down from the prior harvest but still the second largest on record. The crop was impacted by hot, dry weather between December-January, an important period for development of the crop.

Output of wheat came in at 5.4mn t, nearly flat on the year, Conab said. Wheat imports were estimated at 7.2mn t for 2019, according to Conab. Brazil is a net importer of the cereal.

Brazil planted 63.2mn ha with grains and oilseed in the season ended in June.

The country is expected to export a record of 35mn t of corn in 2018-19, up by 47pc from the prior year, while soybean exports are expected to fall by 16pc to 70mn t, according to Conab. Cotton lint exports are forecast to rise by 64pc to 1.5mn t.

Brazil is the global top exporter of soybeans and the second in corn and cotton, behind only the US, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Conab is due to release its first forecast on the 2019-20 crop on 10 October.


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25/04/11

US MAP-DAP premium primed to return on tariffs

US MAP-DAP premium primed to return on tariffs

Houston, 11 April (Argus) — The period of MAP and DAP prices trading near parity will be short-lived because newly-imposed US import tariffs could amplify MAP supply woes, market participants told Argus . MAP and DAP prices have traded in close proximity since early January, diverting from the significant MAP premium seen last spring and summer when a surplus of DAP was imported into the US. After limited MAP barge trading in March, activity accelerated at Nola this week as it became clearer that all non-North American phosphate imports would face at least 10pc import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump starting last week. The Nola MAP price was assessed at a midpoint of $636.50/st fob this week, up by $9/st from last week, while DAP was assessed $12.50/st higher at $632.50/st fob Nola. Despite the "reciprocal" tariffs on certain phosphate producing countries being lowered to a universal 10pc this week by Trump for 90 days — in line with the original tariff imposed on other countries such as Saudi Arabia and Australia last week — the remaining levy is still enough to deter vessels from coming to Nola, sources said. In response, the Nola MAP price has averaged a $5.75/st premium to the Nola DAP price for April so far, flipping from a $3.88/st average discount in March. That is still a far cry from October 2024, when the Nola MAP price averaged a $61.45/st premium over the Nola DAP. From August through November, the Nola MAP price was 13pc higher on average than DAP. US market participants expect the premium to expand in the coming months as MAP is the preferred product of most farmers during the fall application season, potentially impacting buying decisions for that period. The US from July through February has imported 759,000 metric tonnes (t) of DAP, down by 26pc from the same period last year, according to US Census Bureau data. This lapse in imports for the start of 2025 was an initial driver in DAP's rising premium over MAP. In comparison, MAP imports for the same period have totaled roughly 853,000t, up by just 5pc from the year before. But at least 290,000 t of MAP will need to be brought into the US between now and the start of the summer to equal out with the tonnage imported for the full 2023-24 fertilizer year ahead of fall applications. That is a task that may not be easily achieved given the new tariff on most phosphate imports. One buyer this week said they could consider switching usual MAP demand toward an alternative NPS product heading into October and November given the difficult supply outlook for the US. "We are very much in wait and see mode, trying to see how tariffs evolve and how it works its way into the market in terms of price," another buyer said. The significant premium MAP held last fall also limited overall phosphate applications conducted by farmers, therefore raising the bar for the amount of phosphate fertilizer farmers will need to put into the ground later this year to replenish soil nutrients. By Taylor Zavala US DAP/MAP barge prices Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Malaysia sets new haulier limits at Port Klang


25/04/11
25/04/11

Malaysia sets new haulier limits at Port Klang

Singapore, 11 April (Argus) — The Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) — under the transport ministry's directive — hasset operational weight limitson hauliers operating at port Klang effective from 1 May, possibly raising logistical costs for some fertilizer importers. The majority of haulier equipment used at port Klang has a maximum capacity of 38,000kg (38t), and the AMH has set a verified gross mass (VGM) weight limit of 25,000kg (25t). This results in trailers of 20ft and 40ft having a VGM limit of 25,000kg (25t), while side loaders will be imposed a VGM limit of 22,000kg (22t). These new weight limits could increase logistical costs for fertilizer importers, especially those using side loader hauliers, according to one fertilizer importer. Importers could previously load around 24-25t of product, but imposing a weight limit would mean that importers using side loader hauliers must pay for more containers for the same cargo size. Importers typically use side-load hauliers if they are importing large volumes of product, as it is more efficient. But this new regulation is unlikely to affect urea fertilizers as the typical volume for a urea cargo is usually around 21t, the importer said. The limits would more likely impact the loadings of fertilizers like phosphates, NPKs and potash. One NPK producer indicated that this could raise their import costs for incoming cargoes at port Klang by around 10pc. Some Malaysian importers have also indicated that they only ship cargoes in 25t containers and they would not be affected, as the policy is only limited to port Klang and 24t containers. Others have filed complaints to the port Klang authorities and are expecting to receive more feedback next week. By Dinise Chng Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Egypt’s NCIC issues fertilizer sales tender


25/04/10
25/04/10

Egypt’s NCIC issues fertilizer sales tender

London, 10 April (Argus) — Egyptian producer NCIC has issued a tender to sell various fertilizers for loading in May, closing on 15 April. NCIC is offering the following products: 15,000t of DAP — it sold 30,000t at $647-650/t fob in its 24 March tender for shipment to India, likely in May 15,000t of TSP — it sold 15,000t at $495-503/t fob in its 24 March tender 30,000t of 19pc SSP — it sold 10,000t at $213-215/t fob in its 24 March tender 10,000t of CAN27 — it sold 12,000t at $300-305/t fob in its 24 March tender 5,000t of granular urea 1,500t of water-soluble SOP — it sold 1,500t at $555-560/t fob bagged in its 24 March tender, significantly lower than $580-590/t fob bagged in its 26 February tender NCIC had offered the fertilizers sold in its 24 March tender for loading in April. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India’s DOF proposes additional phosphate subsidies


25/04/10
25/04/10

India’s DOF proposes additional phosphate subsidies

London, 10 April (Argus) — India's Department of Fertilizers (DOF) has proposed additional subsidies on DAP and imported TSP for the April-September Kharif season, according to a document seen by Argus . The proposed compensations are on top of the current nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) and the 3,500 rupees/t special additional subsidy (other costs) on DAP that are already in place. If approved, they would balance DAP importers' losses at current rates. The DOF has proposed returning to DAP importers and producers 4pc of the maximum retail price (MRP), plus a rebate on the goods and services tax (GST) on the MRP. The DOF also has suggested paying importers the difference between the cfr prices for cargoes imported during this Kharif season and the average cfr price for DAP imports over the October 2024-March 2025 Rabi season. At current exchange rates, this would add $81-82/t to the subsidy on DAP imported in the mid-$670s/t cfr, broadly equal to the losses currently faced by importers. Importers buying DAP in the mid-$670s/t cfr are facing losses of about $84/t, given the US dollar/rupee exchange rate, the MRP of Rs27,000/t, the NBS of Rs27,799/t and the special additional subsidy of Rs3,500/t. The 4pc return on the MRP, plus GST, will fall slightly short of covering the $33/t losses incurred by DAP producers importing phosphoric acid at $1,153/t P2O5 cfr and ammonia at $350/t cfr. Producers making DAP with 30-31pc P2O5 phosphate rock imported at $153/t cfr, sulphur received at $300/t cfr and ammonia delivered at $350/t cfr already are making profits of about $50/t. But they also would still receive the 4pc MRP return and GST rebate. The same proposal applies to imported TSP. The DOF suggests paying 4pc of the Rs25,000/t MRP, and the GST, plus the increase from the average Rabi import cost to importers. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit


25/04/07
25/04/07

Flooding on US rivers mires barge transit

Houston, 7 April (Argus) — Barge transit slowed across the Arkansas, Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers over the weekend because of flooding, which prompted the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to close locks and issue transit restrictions along the waterways. The Corps advised all small craft to limit or halt transit on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MCKARNS) in Arkansas because flows reached above 200,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), nearly three times the high-water flow. The heavy flow is expected to persist throughout the week, posing risks to those transiting the river system, said the Corps. Some barges have halted movement on the river, temporarily miring fertilizer resupply efforts in Arkansas and Oklahoma in the middle of the urea application season. The Corps forecasts high flows to continue into Friday, and the National Weather Service predicts several locations along the MCKARNS will maintain a moderate to minor flood stage into Friday as well. Both the Arthur V Ormond Lock and the Toad Suck Ferry Lock, upriver from Little Rock, Arkansas, shut on 6 April because of the high flows. Flows along the Little Rock Corps district reached 271,600cfs on 7 April. The Corps forecasts high flows to continue into Friday. Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers The Corps restricted barge transit between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cairo, Illinois, on the Ohio River to mitigate barge transportation risks, with the Corps closing two locks on the Ohio River on 6 April and potentially four more in the coming days. Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) anticipates dock and fleeting operations will be suspended at certain locations along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers as a result of the flooding. NWS forecasters anticipate major flooding levels to persist through the following week. Barge carriers also expect a backlog of up to two weeks in the region. To alleviate flooding at Cairo, Illinois, where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, the Corps increased water releases at the Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River and the Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River. The Markland Lock, downriver from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Newburgh lock near Owensboro, Kentucky, closed on 6 April. The Corps expects the full closure to remain until each location reaches its crest of nearly 57ft, which could occur on 8 or 9 April, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Around 50 vessels or more are waiting to transit each lock, according to the Lock Status Report published by the Corps on 7 April. The Corps also shut a chamber at both Cannelton and McAlpine locks. The John T Myers and Smithland locks may close on 7 April as well, the Corps said. The Olmsted Lock, the final lock before the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, will require a 3mph limit for any traffic passing through. The NWS expects roughly 10-15 inches of precipitation fell along the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys earlier this month, inducing severe flooding across the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. A preliminary estimate from AccuWeather stated an estimated loss of $80-90bn in damages from the extreme flooding. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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