US amsul imports reach record high in March

US ammonium sulfate (amsul) imports reached a record high in March, bringing importsfor the current fiscal year to date to record high levels as well.

US imports of ammonium sulfate reached 171,200 metric tonnes (t) in March, according to the latest data from the US Census Bureau. Monthly imports in March topped the previous record high set in February by 2,300t.

Volumes in March 2024 were double the March average of the past 10 years.

Year to date imports during the 2024 fiscal year — which runs July-June to track the fertilizer crop year — through March reached 824,000t, up 75pc from the year prior.

Offshore imports arriving at Nola in April are currently estimated at nearly 51,100t, according to bill of lading data.

Amsul supply has been short this spring, caused by several production outages beginning in January](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2531726).

Prices have remained elevated for amsul because of limited supply, while other nitrogen fertilizers have been on the decline in recent weeks.

Recent imports were priced at $407.5/st fob, compared to year-ago levels of $327.5/st fob.

By Meghan Yoyotte

US ammonium sulfate imports ’000t