Bloomberg Green Markets ABUK@EY 2023-03-31
Bloomberg Green Markets ABUK@EY 2023-03-31
Bloomberg Green Markets ABUK@EY 2023-03-31
Contents
2 Tampa Ammonia Plunges
600 607.5
500
USDA Projects 92 Million Corn Acres in 2023 400
365.0
US corn growers will plant 92 million acres of corn this spring, USDA said in its March 31 300 303.5
O N D J F M
Prospective Plantings report. The acreage estimate is up 4%, or 3.42 million acres, from last
Source: Green Markets © Bloomberg L.P.
year, and also up from the 91 million acres that the agency projected at its annual Outlook
Forum in February (GM Feb. 24, p. 1).
see USDA, page 30 US Gulf Contract Barge Prices
(FOB, USD/st)
Ammonia 395
Senate Passes Resolution to Overturn WOTUS; Urea (gran) 295-312
Biden Plans to Veto Urea (prill) 295-312
The US Senate on March 29 voted 53-43 to approve a resolution overturning the Biden UAN 270-280
Administration’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule. The vote follows a similar
resolution passed by the House in late February (GM March 3, p. 26), which called the new AS 300-310
WOTUS definition “flawed” and “overreaching.” DAP 600-615
see Senate, page 31 MAP 570-575
Did You Know… Green Markets data services give you direct access to TSP 540-550
fertilizer pricing data feeds? It’s the easy way to link into models, contracts or Potash 360-370
accounting systems.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 1
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Even with gas prices dropping in Europe, the final price of ammonia from California DEL 890 980 1,220
the factories was too expensive for the Northwest Europe market. Buyers
Pacific Northwest 730 730 NA
were also upset with the Northwest Europe price, declaring it too high
for the global marketplace. The price drop at Tampa is expected to push Pacific Northwest DEL 710-730 710-730 1,650
the European price down to levels buyers are more willing to accept.
Western Canada DEL
1,100-1,300 1,100-1,300 2,230-2,250
mt CAD
U.S. Ammonia Black Sea mt NA NA NA
Tampa Cornbelt Southern Plains Northern Plains
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 2
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Sources remain firm that no new tender will be called until mid-May 500
at the earliest. They noted that a new tender will not be called until all
the tonnage awarded in the most recent tender has vessels nominated. 400 387.5
377.5
The shipping deadline for the tender is June 1.
300 303.5
O N D J F M
Black Sea:
The prilled urea out of the Black Sea has moved to the upper end of Source: Green Markets © Bloomberg L.P.
the range from just a week ago. Sources now estimate the price at
$270/mt FOB.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 3
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Indonesia:
Producers have gone quiet after Kaltim settled sales at $342/mt CFR. UREA 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
The final price was pushed up by producers following a tender in mid-
March. Producers said the price will be higher next time. Eastern Canada mt
700-875 720-875 1,425-1,440
CAD
Sources said the producers are pointing at a rumored deal into Mexico
Western Canada DEL
at $530/mt CFR as an argument for a higher Indonesian price. Sources 670-680 670-680 1,350-1,400
mt CAD
said the deal was most likely done by Fertiglobe into Eastern Mexico
with Algerian product, and not Indonesian urea. Brazil CFR mt 310-320 310-320 1,000-1,050
Buyers and sellers are reportedly settling their deals on a formula basis. Rondonopolis, BR mt 455-460 460-490 1,000-1,200
One trader said this process offers little in the way of price transparency,
Baltic Sea mt 250-285 254-325 850-970
allowing both sides to quietly claim favorable prices to themselves.
Black Sea mt Prill I 270 265-270 NA
Middle East:
The price in the Arab Gulf remains in the low-$300s/mt FOB. Producers Indonesia mt Bulk 342 342 989
are said to be busily fulfilling orders from the previous Indian tender,
Middle East 300-305 300-305 990-1,000
along with some small cargoes for other buyers.
Middle East mt Prill 300-305 300-305 990-1,000
Sources said Egyptian producers remain quiet, while sources keep
looking for bargains. The last set of deals in the upper-$370s/mt FOB are China mt I 370-380 370-380 NA
now said to be too expensive for buyers. At the same time, producers
China Factory mt 2,783.75- 2,802.50- 2,963.00-
are saying the price is too low.
CYN (posted) 2,802.50 2,811.25 3,010.00
The absence of Russian material in Europe has opened up greater
China Prill mt I 370-380 370-380 NA
possibilities for more Egyptian sales deeper into Europe, according to
local media reports. When Russian product was more widely available, Egypt mt 375-380 375-380 1,130
Egypt was a supplier of small quantities to buyers mostly located in
India CFR Bulk mt 330-335 330-335 596
southern Europe. Since the start of the war Ukraine and the subsequent
cutback in the availability of Russian urea, however, sources said that Mediterranean mt
buyers throughout Europe are looking to Egypt and Algeria for tonnage. 360-380 390-450 1,100-1,175
CFR I
Argentina: 200
January-February urea imports totaled 13,000 mt, Trade Data Monitor O N D J F M
reported, up from the year-ago 1,500 mt. Source: Green Markets © Bloomberg L.P.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 4
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Bangladesh:
Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Ltd. (CUFL) restarted production of ammonia UAN 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
and urea on March 23 after a four-month stoppage due to damage
sustained in a November fire, the Business Standard reported, citing US Gulf NOLA 8.44-8.75 8.59-9.06 19.38-19.69
CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman. US Gulf NOLA st 270-280 275-290 620-630
The plant has a nameplate production capacity of 1,400 mt/d, but the Cornbelt 10.00-10.78 10.00-10.78 20.31-21.07
volume of natural gas available is insufficient for the plant to run at full
Eastern Cornbelt 10.00-10.78 10.00-10.78 20.31-21.07
capacity. The facility requires 48-52 million cubic feet of gas daily for full
capacity, but currently only 42 million cubic feet are being supplied, which Western Cornbelt 10.00-10.47 10.00-10.47 20.31-20.63
cannot produce more than 1,000 mt/day of urea, according to Rahman.
Midwest Cornbelt
350-498 350-498 570-630
Recommissioning was planned for mid-February, after production was 28% (Retail) st m
stopped on Nov. 22 following a fire in a reformer pipe at the ammonia
plant (GM Nov. 25, 2022). Midwest Cornbelt
400-570 400-570 650-720
32% (Retail) st m
The latest Baltimore prices for 27-0-0-3S and 28-0-0-5S included Baltic Sea 32% mt 153-225 175-225 674-876
$301/st FOB and $335/st FOB, respectively.
Black Sea 32% mt 163-220 185-220 882-884
Eastern Canada: France 30% FCA mt
UAN-28 pricing dropped to C$560-$680/mt (C$20.00-$24.29/unit) 310-315 310-320 605-615
EURO
FOB, down C$20/mt from last report at the low end of the range. Recent
UAN-32 offers in Eastern Canada slipped to C$640/mt (C$20.00/unit) NA: Prices not available or obtainable in the reporting period.
FOB, reflecting a drop of C$22/mt since early March. See pricing notations on https://fertilizerpricing.com/about/pricing-notations/
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 5
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Southeast NA NA NA
Traders noted that as industrial output steps up in China, the amsul Eastern Canada mt
720-825 680-825 990-1,015
byproduct is beginning to flood the market. At the same time that more CAD
product is being made available, buyers are stepping back. Lower urea
prices are allowing some buyers to skip amsul and get their nitrogen Western Canada DEL
520-535 520-535 875-925
needs from urea. mt CAD
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 6
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
The NOLA DAP barge market was quoted at $600-$615/st FOB, up from South Central 670-690 670-690 995-1,025
$600-$610/st FOB reported last. Players noted MAP barges trading
in a $570-$575/st FOB range, above $565-$575/st FOB at last check. Southern Plains 675-685 675-685 1,000-1,030
Northern Plains:
DAP remained at $680-$690/st FOB St. Paul. MAP was down signifi-
cantly, however, falling to $625/st FOB St. Paul, well below the previous
$665/st FOB level. No current delivered MAP pricing was confirmed
in North Dakota, where truck availability was described as “tight” in
late March.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 7
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Northeast:
The DAP market remained at $675-$690/st FOB in the Northeast, with MAP 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
the low confirmed at Fairless Hills and the high at East Liverpool. MAP
was steady at $670/st FOB East Liverpool in late March, with delivered Central Florida 630 630 945
pricing at the $710/st level in Pennsylvania. US Gulf NOLA 570-575 565-575 960-1,015
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 8
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Argentina:
Trade Data Monitor put January-February MAP imports at 12,000 mt, up TSP 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
from 1,000 mt reported through the first two months of 2022.
US Gulf NOLA Import 540-550 525-545 825-850
February MAP imports were 7,000 mt, up from 5 mt imported in February
Cornbelt 575-610 575-610 NA
2022. All of the tons originated from Morocco. The first quarter of the
year is typically a slow period for imports. Eastern Cornbelt 580-610 580-610 NA
The Rondonopolis price for TSP dropped to $560-$605/mt from last Phos. Rock 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
week’s $595-$605/mt FOB ex-warehouse.
North Africa mt 320-370 320-370 205-250
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 9
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 10
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Saskatchewan
485-493 485-493 728-738
Granular st
Saskatchewan
482-490 482-490 725-735
Standard st
Saskatchewan
487-495 487-495 730-740
Soluble st
NA: Prices not available or obtainable in the reporting period.
See pricing notations on https://fertilizerpricing.com/about/pricing-notations/
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 11
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Eastern Canada:
Potash pricing in Eastern Canada remained at C$740-$745/mt FOB Potash 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
regional warehouses.
Carlsbad, NM Granular
515 515 805-855
Indonesia: (posted)
PT Pupuk Indonesia was reported to have purchased an unconfirmed
Carlsbad, NM Standard
volume of standard potash from a European-based supplier at around 525 525 825-875
(posted)
$450/mt CFR, for shipment between April and September. The details
could not be confirmed by Green Markets press time, however. Vancouver Granular c
574-579 574-579 574-579
mt I
Brazil:
Prices dropped to $400-$440/mt CFR. Sources said downward pressure Vancouver Standard
560-565 560-565 560-565
continues to come from sanctioned-country product priced at $400- c mt
$410/mt CFR. Buyers looking for bargains were leaning on suppliers
from non-sanctioned locations to match these low levels. Baltic Standard c mt NA NA NA
NW Europe CIF mt
NA NA 585-600
EURO Granular
Southeast Asia
500-530 525-550 700-750
Granular CFR mt
Southeast Asia
450-480 450-490 600-650
Standard CFR mt
NA: Prices not available or obtainable in the reporting period.
See pricing notations on https://fertilizerpricing.com/about/pricing-notations/
International Potash
Brazil CFR Southeast Asia
1,100
1,000
900
800
700
600
500 515.0
400 420.0
O N D J F M
Source: Green Markets © Bloomberg L.P.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 12
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Vancouver:
Last-done sulfur exports from Vancouver were heard at $105-$115/mt
FOB, steady from the prior report.
Alberta:
Alberta netbacks continued to be indicated in a $15-$60/mt FOB range
for the week. Lower Tampa contract values expected in the second
quarter were likely to pressure netbacks lower in the short-term.
West Coast:
West Coast indications were on par with Vancouver in a $105-$115/mt
FOB range, unchanged from the previous report.
Molten sulfur contracts for the first quarter were reported in a $125-
$135/lt FOB range.
China:
Recent import pricing at China continued to be heard in the $130s/mt
CFR, steady from one week earlier.
ADNOC:
Posted prices were reported at $134/mt Ruwais for loading in March.
Softer international pricing was expected to pull April sulfur postings
to at least the low-$120s/mt FOB, sources said, while some anticipated
April values falling to $100/mt FOB or lower.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 13
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Qatar:
March pricing from Muntajat was noted at $133/mt FOB Ras Laffan. Sulfuric Acid 3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
Lower values were anticipated in April.
US Gulf CFR 80-90 80-90 260-265
China:
Offer levels for April and May loading were noted in a $10-$20/mt FOB
range. Players described an apparent disconnect between FOB offer
levels and concluded CFR pricing reported from some international
markets.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 14
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 15
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Eastern Canada mt
760-800 760-800 910-975
CAD
Potassium
3/31/2023 Last Week Year Ago
Thiosulfate
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 16
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
CROPS/WEATHER
Eastern Cornbelt:
After steadily warming temperatures during the week, Illinois was
Corn, Wheat, Soybean Index
Soybean Wheat Corn
bracing for potentially strong storms on March 31. Forecasts warned of 130
70 mph winds, large hail, and the potential for tornadoes, particularly
120
in the northern areas of the state.
110
Thunderstorms also moved through the Peoria area on March 30, with
highs there expected to reach the upper-60s and possibly the 70s by 100
Friday. Highs in central Indiana reached the 60s late in the week, but 90 91.364
86.945
an incoming cold front was expected to trigger thunderstorms late in
the week, with hail and damaging winds possible. 80
70 68.588
A mix of rain and snow pushed through northern Ohio at midweek,
followed by warmer temperatures on March 30. By Friday, however, 60
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
another system was expected to produce widespread rains and strong 2022 2023
winds in Ohio. Source: Chicago Board of Trade
Western Cornbelt:
Temperatures warmed to the high 40s, 50s, and even low 60s in Iowa Corn (USD/bu)
on March 30, with the highest readings in southern Iowa. Rainfall across 9.00
Iowa was expected to pick up late on March 30, with severe storms
8.00
possible on March 31. Forecasts warned of wind, hail, and possible
tornado activity by Friday afternoon over a wide swath of the state.
7.00
6.51
Highs reached the mid-60s and low-70s across Nebraska on March 30, 6.00
but a cold front on Friday was expected to usher in some thunderstorm
activity, along with a 20-degree drop in temperatures. By late on March 31, 5.00
spotty snow showers were in the forecast for parts of northern Nebraska.
4.00
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
A wind advisory was in effect for northern Missouri on March 30, with 2022 2023
potentially strong thunderstorms in the March 31 forecast. Source: Chicago Board of Trade
Northern Plains:
Winter storm warnings and watches were in effect for portions of South
Dakota and Minnesota late in the week. Forecasts warned of 8-12 inches
Wheat (USD/bu)
15.00
of snow in northern and central South Dakota as cold air pushed into
the region after midweek highs in the 30s. Southern areas of the state 13.00
were expecting rain and isolated thunderstorms on March 30.
11.00
Snowfall was also expected in North Dakota, with most of the accumu-
9.00
lation reported south of Interstate-94. Minnesota was bracing for 1-4
inches of fresh snow in northern areas of the state, with freezing rain
7.00 6.89
and ice across southern Minnesota. Highs in the mid-30s were expected
in the Twin Cities area on April 1. 5.00
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
2022 2023
Northeast:
Source: Chicago Board of Trade
A Great Lakes system brought cold temperatures, gusty winds, and
a mix of rain and snow to New England late in the week. While snow
accumulation was limited to 2-3 inches in the Green Mountains, some
areas saw a half-inch or more of rain, with temperatures dropping to
Soybean (USD/bu)
18.00
the 20s and 30s across the region.
17.00
Midweek snow squalls were also reported in Pennsylvania and western 16.00
New York, with more precipitation expected by the weekend. Tempera-
15.00
tures in the Mid-Atlantic region fell from the upper-50s to the 20s and 14.79
14.00
30s by March 30.
13.00
12.00
11.00
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
2022 2023
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 17
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
CROPS/WEATHER
Eastern Canada:
More winter storms swept through Eastern Canada during the final
US Drought Monitor
week of March, compounding fieldwork delays and diminishing hopes March 28, 2023
of any early start to spring planting in the region.
An Arctic cold front brought heavy snow, 70-80 km/h wind gusts, and
-10 C wind chills to southern Ontario at midweek. While calmer condi-
tions were expected on March 30, another system was threatening to
drop 20-40 cm of rain and snow on southern and eastern areas of the
province by the coming weekend.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 18
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
INDICATORS
The Baton Rouge river gauge was posted at an action-stage 30.84 Peoria, IL 27.00-28.50 27.00-28.50
feet on March 28. Levels were predicted to rise to a minor-flood 36.0
feet on April 9. Cincinnati, OH 30.00 30.00
Port Allen Lock delays were heard up to 14 hours during the week. High flows necessitated the use of an assist vessel on southbound
Waits were reported up to 38 hours at Industrial Lock, while Corps travel through Smithland Lock during the week, sources said, leading
data showed intermittent Harvey Lock wait times up to seven hours to intermittent 5-14 hour delays. The Smithland land chamber is due
on March 28. Boats transiting Brazos Lock were delayed up to 11 hours. to shut Sept. 22 through Oct. 21 for miter gate machinery replacement.
Mississippi River: The primary chamber at Hannibal Lock is closed for maintenance through
High water levels continued on the lower river, prompting delivery April 7. Waits were quoted up to 10 hours, down from 27 hours at last
delays and a reported 15% reduction in northbound tow sizes. check. The Greenup Lock main chamber is shut through April 12, while
the secondary chamber at Melville Lock is projected to close April 17
The river gauge at Vicksburg, posted at an action-stage 35.4 feet and through Aug. 4 for maintenance.
rising on March 29, was expected to crest at 42.5 feet on April 6-7, below
the 43.0-foot minor-flood stage. The NWS forecast Memphis levels to Ten-hour waits were observed at the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock,
peak at an action-stage 28.4 feet on April 2-3. while boats passing Pickwick Landing Lock waited up to seven hours to
pass. Tows transiting Wilson Lock were delayed by 3-11 hours. Sources
On the upper river, the Mel Price Lock main chamber was on track to reported a shutdown at Chickamauga Lock on March 27-29.
open for spring navigation on March 31, sources said. St. Anthony Falls
Lock and Lock 1, both located in the Twin Cities area, were closed to Arkansas River:
navigation during the week. Interlock system repairs at Maynard Lock were expected to run April
13-14, a change from April 10-14 reported previously.
Mel Price delays were quoted in a wide 14-81 hour range. Starved
Rock Lock, reported as fully returned from seasonal maintenance on
March 17, saw wait times as high as 43 hours. Delays were noted up to
11 hours at Lock 14.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 19
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
INDICATORS
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Zhengzhou (China) Commodity CBOT NOLA Urea
Exchange Urea (Granular)
400 3/23/2023 3/30/2023 350 3/23/2023 3/30/2023
337.50
380
325
320.00
USD per Metric Ton
322.31 275
320
308.30
300 250
A M J J A S O N D J F M M J J A S O N D J
620
USD per Short Ton
590
560
535.00
535.00
530
500
A M
150
125
104.258
100 98.295
93.267
92.420
92.341
75 92.246
53.333
50
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
2022 2023
March 2022 = 100 Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 20
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
INDICATORS
SIGNALS
Global Fertilizer Valuation Natural Gas Spot Prices
Peer Group (USD/M Btu)
330 U.S. Henry Hub Canada AECO C Hub
10
300
8
270
240 6
223.34
210
4
180
2 1.97
150 1.95
120 0
M A M J J A S O N D J F M M A M J J A S O N D J F M
2022 2023 2022 2023
140 900
120
800
102
100
700
80
70
600
60
52
529.80
40 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 500
A S O N D J F M
80
74.89
60
40
M A M J J A S O N D J F M
2022 2023
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 21
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
INDICATORS
EARNINGS
OCP Posts Record Earnings in 2002 Despite Lower For the months ahead, OCP sees “a seemingly balanced market in 2023,
Export Volumes with a partial recovery of demand and relatively constrained supply.”
The group highlighted an expected recovery in the Americas “due to
Casablanca-based OCP Group SA reported a 73% increase in net income crop prices that remain at high levels relative to fertilizer prices,” and a
for the year ending Dec. 31, 2022, to MAD28.2 billion ($2.76 billion), the moderate recovery in demand in Europe, albeit with “hand-to-mouth”
highest since its establishment over a century ago. The earnings were purchasing.
boosted by higher global fertilizer prices following Russia’s invasion Additionally, OCP anticipates an increase in demand in Africa due to the
of Ukraine. group’s initiative “to prioritize this market and avoid demand destruction
Full-year EBITDA increased 38%, to MAD50.08 billion ($4.93 billion) due to price.” The group also expects imports into India to remain stable
on revenues of MAD114.57 billion ($11.28 billion), up from MAD36.27 amid government elections in 2024 and relatively low starting stocks.
billion ($4.04 billion) and MAD84.3 billion, respectively, for the previous On the supply side, OCP expects Chinese exports to reach higher lev-
year, and in line with preliminary results released by the group at the els this year than in 2022, but below the record set in 2021. The group
beginning of March (GM March 3, p. 24). said its new TSP capacities in Morocco will be deployed “gradually and
Gross profit in local currency was up by 27%, reaching MAD70.38 billion coordinated with market recovery.”
($6.93 billion) from MAD55.22 billion ($6.12 billion) last year. Revenue For full year 2022, OCP plans to pay a dividend of MAD98.5 (approx-
in local currency grew 36% year-over-year, with the group citing higher imately $9.74 at current exchange rates) per share, some 60% higher
prices across all product categories, which more than offset lower sales than the prior year. With the Moroccan state holding some 94% of OCP’s
volumes compared to FY2021. capital, Morocco’s government is set to receive a windfall of about $750
“OCP was able to fully leverage the benefits of higher prices, while million from OCP dividends this year, according to Bloomberg.
calibrating production to match the attendant lower volumes, and
effectively managing through the anticipated sequential easing of Mosaic Fertilizantes Volumes Up in Jan-Feb.
prices in the second half of the year,” the company said in its March
28 earnings statement. Mosaic Fertilizantes posted a 31% increase in sales volumes for Janu-
“The strong double-digit revenue growth in 2022 was led by a 44% ary-February 2023 compared with last year, according to results released
increase in fertilizer revenues, which accounted for a record 64% of by Mosaic on March 29. Sales revenues for the segment were up 12%,
total revenues for the year, up from 61% a year ago,” the group noted. to $971 million from the year-ago $870 million.
Higher global prices for fertilizer products helped mitigate the impact Mosaic’s Potash and Phosphate segments also saw volume increases,
of lower export volumes in most regions due to reduced demand amid but sales revenues were down from the year-ago period.
lower farmer affordability. The group’s fertilizer sales volumes fell 11% For the first quarter 2023, Mosaic expects total potash sales volumes to
year-over-year, to 9.3 million mt from 10.4 million mt. be near the lower end of the previously guided range of 1.8-2.0 million
OCP Fertilizer Exports by Product mt, with realized MOP pricing at the mine in the range of $400-$440/mt.
First-quarter phosphate guidance remains unchanged, with sales vol-
FY2022 FY2021 umes in the range of 1.7-1.9 million mt and realized DAP prices on an
FOB basis in the range of $625-$675/mt.
Total (million mt) 9.3 10.4
Phosphate rock revenues were up 51% year-over-year in local currency, Phosphates Jan/Feb Jan/Feb
mainly reflecting improved prices. Phosphoric acid revenues in local 2023 2022
currency increased by a modest 1%, OCP said, with lower export volumes
Sales Volumes in thousands of mt 1,066 999
offset by higher phos acid prices.
Sales Revenues in millions $827 $873
Fourth-quarter EBITDA declined by 40%, to MAD7.11 billion ($615 million)
from the prior-year MAD11.79 billion ($1.30 billion). Gross profit for the
quarter dropped by 18%, to MAD14.14 billion ($1.32 billion) from the Mosaic Fertilizantes Jan/Feb Jan/Feb
year-ago MAD17.34 billion ($1.89 billion), while revenue fell by 6%, to 2023 2022
MAD25.04 billion ($2.33 billion) from MAD26.65 billion ($2.91 billion).
Sales Volumes in thousands of mt 1,462 1,118
The group attributed the fourth-quarter downturn to less favorable
Sales Revenues in millions $971 $870
market conditions compared with the same period in 2021, which
resulted in lower prices and a contraction in demand.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 22
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
MANAGEMENT
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 23
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
ALERTS
Nutrien Says Fert Supply to Stay Tight in 2023 FuelPositive Touts Sales Orders for NH3 System
Shipments out of major exporters Belarus and Russia are still at least FuelPositive, Waterloo, Ont., which plans to produce on-farm/onsite,
partially constrained and a lot of alternative outlets for product have containerized green ammonia production systems, reported that the
been exhausted, Nutrien Ltd. CEO Ken Seitz said in an interview at company’s pre-order sales initiative has received commitments for the
Bloomberg’s New York headquarters on March 29. first production target batch of five systems.
“Looking at 2023, we think there’s going to continue to be challenges As a result, the company said it has been able to expand its initial target
which create a gap in the market,” he said. Seitz added that the Cana- from a batch of five to 30 systems, with many systems already assigned.
dian company is monitoring conditions and will continue to adjust its In addition, the company said it is receiving at least one inquiry per day
planned ramp-up of potash production as farmer demand changes. for its systems from all around the world.
Seitz also commented on relations with BHP Group Ltd., which is de-
veloping the $5.7 billion Jansen project close to Nutrien’s mines near Saskatchewan First Act Enacted
Saskatoon, Sask. The two firms held talks about a potential partnership
two years ago, and BHP was said in January to have been interested in The Government of Saskatchewan on March 16 passed The Saskatche-
doing more deals, at the right price, with companies such as Nutrien. wan First Act, which it said defends the province’s economic autonomy
and potential from federal overreach. The Act amends the Constitution
“The relationship with BHP is good; we’re in the community together,”
of Saskatchewan to confirm Saskatchewan’s autonomy and assert Sas-
Seitz said, while declining to comment on whether the companies
katchewan’s exclusive legislative jurisdiction under Section 92 (A) of the
have been in talks more recently. “They’re focused on their work on
Constitution of Canada over a number of areas, including:
Jansen project, we’re focused on the work that we’re doing, and that’s
the focus at the moment.” • the exploration for non-renewable natural resources;
• the development, conservation, and management of non-re-
Nevada Zinc’s Pilot Plant Produces Zinc Sulfate newable natural and forestry resources; and
• the operation of sites and facilities for the generation and pro-
Toronto-based Nevada Zinc Corp. on March 29 announced the suc-
duction of electrical energy.
cessful production of high-grade zinc sulfate monohydrate from its
pilot plant project in central Nevada. The company said the pilot plant The Act will also create an independent Economic Impact Assessment
process can be scaled to the company’s projected production levels Tribunal that will define, quantify, and report on the economic effects of
using commercially available equipment. federal initiatives on provincial investments and Saskatchewan projects,
businesses, and people.
The company’s zinc sulfate production initiative commenced in March
2021, initially as a bench scale test. Continuous production of zinc sulfate “This Act protects our province from constitutional overreach by the
monohydrate, a micronutrient fertilizer, has now been achieved from federal government,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Bron-
the multi-phase pilot plant project being conducted by Hazen Research wyn Eyre. “We will always stand up for Saskatchewan people against
Inc. from sample material provided from the company’s Lone Mountain policies that hurt our economic potential and growth.”
property in Nevada. Following discussions with First Nations and Métis people and organi-
Hazen is currently completing an economic evaluation of the pilot zations, amendments were introduced by Athabasca MLA Jim Lemaigre
plant process in order to generate operating and capital costs for a to specifically state that nothing in the Act abrogates or derogates from
commercial-scale plant initially capable of processing 500 mt/d of Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
open pit ore from the deposit. A final report including process flow “Treaty rights are already enshrined and protected in all provincial
diagrams and the project’s economic evaluation will then be vetted by legislation, as well as Section 35 of the federal Constitution Act, 1982,”
an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. This vetting Eyre said. “However, I welcome the amendments from the Member
process is projected to be completed in April 2023. from Athabasca which provide even further clarity and certainty about
our government’s respect for treaty rights.”
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 24
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
ALERTS
Bi-Partisan Bill to Boost Fertilizer Research TFI Praises Legislation Supporting Ag Research
US Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) on March The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch on
23 introduced the Quantum in Practice Act, which would amend the March 30 praised Congress for introducing the Advancing Cutting
National Quantum Initiative Act to include quantum molecular simulations Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act, which TFI said will help farmers by focusing
and modeling in federal scientific research. More specifically, quantum United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) research on critical
molecular simulations and modeling will allow experts to study chemical areas such as soil health and increasing crop yields.
elements and reactions with enhanced accuracy.
“With our global population expected to hit 10 billion people by 2050,
This new research on molecules can then be used to develop new farmers are constantly being asked to do more with less, while also being
materials and manufacture complex chemical reactions beneficial to a good environmental stewards by taking care of the land that takes care
plethora of economic sectors. of us,” Rosenbusch said. “The fertilizer industry puts a strong focus on
research and the farmer adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices
Alongside House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Frank
and other methods that improve soil health, encourage the responsible
Lucas (R-Okla.) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), U.S. Reps.
and efficient use of fertilizer, increase crop yields, and minimize impacts
Young Kim (R-Calif.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Byron
to the environment, and welcomes additional government research
Donalds (R-Fla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rudy
into these areas.”
Yakym (R-Ind.), Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), Tom Kean (R-N.J.), Joseph
Neguse (D-Colo.), and Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.) are original cosponsors. Introduced in the Senate on March 16 by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Co-
lo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and in the House of Representatives
U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) have
on March 29 by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Randy Feenstra
introduced companion legislation in the US Senate.
(R-Iowa), the ACE Agriculture Act would double the authorization of
“From fertilizer production to materials manufacturing, quantum com- existing programs from $50 million to $100 million to ensure access to
puting has the untapped potential to lower input costs for our farmers, agricultural innovation projects across multiple states.
improve energy storage, and produce more effective medications for
Rosenbusch highlighted the fertilizer industry’s 4R Research Fund,
patients,” said Feenstra. “I’m proud to introduce the Quantum in Practice
as well as independent research that has focused on multiple crops,
Act to ensure that our main streets, farmers, and small businesses can
geographic locations, and methods to show farmers the beneficial
realize the real benefits of quantum computing, not just in theory, but in
outcomes of new technologies and farming practices. He said TFI is a
practice. Thanks to scientific ingenuity, there is boundless opportunity
year and a half into a nationwide goal of having 70 million US farming
for our rural communities to harness the power of quantum computing
acres under 4R nutrient stewardship management by 2030.
to strengthen our agricultural sector, streamline fertilizer production,
and enhance our way of life in the 4th District.” “We’ve done the research and know that these practices have both
environmental and economically beneficial outcomes associated with
According to the bill’s proponents, the potential scientific discoveries
their implementation,” Rosenbusch said. “But these practices are not
across industries and sectors include, but are not limited to:
one-size fits all, and not only is each farm different, but each acre on
• Fertilizer - Modeling the nitrogen fixation process utilized by each farm is unique and growers need to feel confident when imple-
bacteria, which could be used to develop synthetic fertilizers menting new practices. We believe more research directly from the
without the high energy and material costs of current methods, USDA on these critical issues can only help farmers continue growing
creating the next generation of fertilizers. that confidence and lead to wider farmer adoption.”
• Safer Medicines - Creating more effective medications and
reducing harmful interactions or side effects. ARA Applauds Lower Energy Costs Act
• Energy Storage - Developing new materials to increase energy
storage capacity and create more powerful battery technologies. The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) on March 30 applauded
the US House of Representatives for voting to adopt the Lower Energy
• New Metals - Developing lighter, stronger metals.
Costs Act (H.R. 1). According to the bill’s sponsors, H.R. 1 will increase
• Protective Gear - Creating materials for more durable protective domestic energy production, reform the permitting process for all
gear for law enforcement and military. industries, streamline energy infrastructure and exports, and boost the
production and processing of critical minerals.
• Conductors - Developing new types of superconductors.
“ARA strongly supports H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which is
necessary legislation that will reform the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) and expedite mining, energy, and infrastructure projects
to help lower America’s energy costs and boost our economy,” said
Richard Gupton, ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel.
H.R. 1 was passed on March 30 almost entirely along party lines on a vote
of 225 to 204. ARA is among more than 100 stakeholders to endorse
the legislation, but the bill has little chance of even being considered
in the Democratic-controlled Senate, the New York Times reported.
The Executive Office of the President also issued a statement on March
27, saying the administration “strongly opposes this bill” and that it
would be vetoed by President Biden if presented in its current form.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 25
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
ALERTS
ADNOC Inks MOU with German State, Industry UK to Implement Solid Urea Fertilizer Rules in 2024,
Opts for Industry Self-Regulation
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) on March 27 announced that it
will explore opportunities to support the climate-neutral transformation The UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra)
of industry through the creation of a low-carbon ammonia value chain is moving ahead with plans to implement rules for ammonia mitigation
with state government and industry representatives in Germany’s North with solid urea fertilizers, requiring all farmers in England to use inhibitors
Rhine-Westphalia. or other permitted forms of mitigation after April 1, 2024.
The announcement was made following the signing of a Memorandum However, the department has agreed with the National Farmers Union
of Understanding between the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, (NFU) and industry partners that self-regulation by the farming industry
ADNOC, and Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG (Currenta), a chemical industry will work best for enforcement. The guidelines will be applied through
services provider that manages and operates one of the largest chemical the UK’s Red Tractor Assurance Standard, a food chain assurance scheme
sites in Europe, Chempark, with locations in Leverkusen, Dormargen, that underpins the high standards of British food and drink.
and Krefeld-Uerdingen, in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The commitment made with the government is that by 2024-2025 all
The primary focus of the agreement will be the production and farmers in England will be able to meet the new requirements and all
transportation of low-carbon ammonia and its application as a fuel in fertilizer containing urea will have to be protected against ammonia
energy generation, including industrial-scale testing at Currenta’s site emissions if spread after April 1 each year.
in Dormagen, Germany.
This will apply unless ammonia mitigation has been achieved by incor-
ADNOC has already invested in low-carbon ammonia, where the carbon porating the fertilizers into the soil or with sufficient irrigation, as deter-
dioxide emitted during production is captured and stored underground. mined by a registered qualified professional for the Fertiliser Advisers
In May 2021, the company announced a 1 million mt/y low-carbon Certification & Training Scheme (FACTS), a nationally validated course
ammonia production facility at the TA’ZIZ industrial ecosystem and developed by the UK fertilizer industry as a form of self-regulation.
chemicals hub in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi (GM May 28, 2021).
“We believe working together across the industry to deliver greater ni-
The company has significantly expanded its strategic energy partner- trogen use efficiency for all nitrogen fertilizers is the best route forward,”
ships across the hydrogen value chain and has shipped demonstration said Robert Sheasby, CEO of the Agricultural Industries Confederation
cargoes of low-carbon ammonia to customers in Asia and also to (AIC), a UK trade association representing the agricultural supply chain
Germany as part of the UAE-Germany Energy Security and Industry sectors of arable marketing, crop protection and agronomy, feed,
Accelerator (ESIA) Agreement. fertilizer, and seeds.
“By utilizing existing farm assurance structures, farmers will be able to
NTPC to Supply Green Power to Greenko NH3 Unit retain the use of solid urea, providing flexibility to use the right product
at the right time to minimize environmental impact, whilst ensuring
NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. has signed a term sheet with Greenko healthy plant growth and a competitive fertilizer sector,” he said.
ZeroC Pvt to supply 1,300 MW of renewable power to Greenko’s up-
The Minister of State for Food, Farming, and Fisheries earlier warned
coming green ammonia plant at Kakinada, according to Bloomberg,
that the government would impose regulations if farm leaders failed
citing an exchange filing by the Indian state-run utility.
to introduce an industry scheme to reduce ammonia emissions. The
NTPC said the agreement is one of the world’s single largest contracts regulation was due to come into effect last year, but due to soaring
for supply of round-the-clock renewable power for an industrial client. fertilizer prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Defra agreed to
Greenko’s Kakinada project is a multi-phase green ammonia produc- delay implementation until April 1, 2023 (GM April 1, 2022). In February
tion and export facility adding up to 1 million mt/y of green ammonia this year, the department agreed to delay the implementation by a
production capacity by 2027 (GM Feb. 10, p. 31). further year (GM Feb. 3, p. 28).
After originally considering a potential total ban on the use of solid urea
fertilizer in the UK, Defra decided on an alternative approach put forward
by industry that untreated urea could be used by farmers from Jan. 15
to March 31 each year, but any product spread after April 1 would have
to be treated with a urease inhibitor to slow the release of ammonia.
The UK consumed some 137,000 mt of dry urea for fertilizer use in
2020, according to the latest IFA data. The country has no domestic
urea production, and demand is currently met entirely by imports.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 26
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
ALERTS
OCP Highlights Investment Plans Centrex Inks Offtake with Ameropa, Ballance
OCP Group SA said it plans to open a new phosphate mine in Meskala Centrex Ltd., Adelaide, South Australia, recently announced that its
in Morocco’s Essaouira Province and to build a new fertilizer production wholly-owned subsidiary, Agriflex Pty Ltd., has signed binding offtake
complex at Mzinda. The new fertilizer facility will process rock from agreements with Ameropa Australia Pty Ltd. (Ameropa) and New Zea-
the mines at Benguerir and Youssoufia, as well as from the new mine land-based Balance Agri Nutrients for the supply of phosphate rock
of Meskala. from the Ardmore Phosphate Project.
The plans are a key part of OCP’s second phase of its investment pro- Ameropa has committed to purchase 15,000-16,000 mt of phosphate
gram, announced last December, which the group said will see global from Ardmore in the first year of a 2.75-year agreement. The parties will
investments of about $13 billion over the 2023-2027 period (GM Dec. then meet within 120 days of the end of each contract year to mutually
9, 2022). The investment program is aimed at increasing OCP’s mining agree on the tonnages for each subsequent contract year.
and fertilizer production capacities while achieving full carbon neutrality
On July 1, 2022, Centrex announced the signing of a trial shipment
by 2040 by including sustainability investments around solar energy,
with Ameropa, with the company agreeing to sell 5,000 mt of Ardmore
water, and green ammonia.
phosphate to Ameropa. The supply of the phosphate under the new
The program is targeting an increase in fertilizer production capacity offtake agreement is expected to commence on April 1, 2023.
from the current 12 million mt/y to 20 million mt/y by 2027, and includes
Centrex has set aside 10% of production at Ardmore to fulfill its pro-
plans to produce 1 million mt/y of green ammonia by 2027.
jected allocation under the Ameropa agreement. Ardmore has current
capacity of 120,000 mt/y, but is pursuing an expansion to 524,000 mt/y.
Borealis Sees 18% Drop in 2022 Fertilizer Sales;
Centrex will supply Ballance with 30,000 mt of phosphate from Ardmore
Expects Nitrogen Divestment to Close in Q1 in the first year of the agreement, with subsequent tonnages renegotiated
for each subsequent contract year. On May 12, 2022, Centrex announced
Vienna-based Borealis AG said its fertilizer sales reached 3.21 million the signing of a trial shipment with Balance, with Ballance completing
mt last year, an 18% decrease from the 3.91 million mt sold in 2021. The its testing of the product earlier this year. Centrex has allotted up to
company on March 24 said the decline was the result of lower demand 20% of Ardmore’s production towards the Balance offtake agreement.
due to high gas prices and competitively priced urea imports into Europe.
Borealis now expects the sales of its Nitrogen business to the Czech Laos, Sino-Agri Ink MOU for Potash Park
Republic’s chemicals and fertilizer company Agrofert to close by the end
of the first quarter. It initially had expected the deal to close by the end The Laos government and Sino-Agri International Potash Co. signed a
of 2022. Agrofert’s offer valued the business on an enterprise value basis Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 26 for the develop-
at €810 million (approximately $878 million at current exchange rates). ment of “the Asia-Potash Intelligent Circular Industrial Park” some 250
Borealis received a binding offer for the business, which includes fertilizer, kilometers from the country’s capital, Vientiane, in Laos’ central Kham-
melamine, and technical nitrogen products, from the Czech company mouane Province, according to a report by China’s Xinhua news agency.
last June (GM June 3, 2022). On March 13, the European Commission Sino-Agri is a subsidiary of Asia-Potash International Investment (Guang-
“unconditionally” approved the deal (GM March 17, p. 30). zhou) Co. Ltd., based in China’s southern Guangdong Province, and
“The war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed as a consequence have has the right to exploit 35 square kilometers of potash salt deposits in
led to some delays,” said Borealis CFO Mark Tonkens on the company’s Laos’ Khammouane Province.
protracted divestment of the nitrogen business. “On careful deliberation, The proposed park will receive about $4.31 million in investment and
we declined the initial binding offer received from EuroChem in March will be separated into three sectors, one of which will be a potash
and restarted the process. Agrofert emerged in June as the best bidder fertilizer sector that will be used to develop an industry based on local
in the next divestment round.” potassium ores, according to Xinhua, citing Sino-Agri Managing Director
Tonkens said Borealis’ Executive Board is confident that Agrofert, a and General Manager Tong Yongheng.
leading European fertilizer player, is committed to maintaining supply According to Yongheng, the project aims to expedite the growth of the
security and the long-term development of the production facilities. potash fertilizer industry in Laos, which is targeted to reach a production
The conclusion of the transaction with Agrofert, along with the sale in capacity of 10 million mt/y, he said.
January of its shares in Belgian fertilizer company Rosier S.A. to Turkey’s Potash fertilizer output of Chinese companies active in Laos was 1.5 mil-
Yildrim Group (GM Jan. 6, p. 29), will enable Borealis to sharpen its lion mt in 2021, and is targeted to reach 5 million mt in 2025, according
focus on providing “innovative and value-added solutions” in the fields to an April 2022 report by Guosen Securities, a Chinese state-owned
of advanced circular polyolefins and base chemicals, the company said. financial services company headquartered in Shenzhen, China.
According to Trade Data Monitor, a total of some 592,598 million mt of
Laos potash was imported by various countries in 2021. Of that total,
China was the biggest importer, taking 416,627 mt, increasing its imports
of Laos potash to 606,987 mt in 2022. Indonesia and Thailand were
the next biggest importers, both in 2021 and in 2022.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 27
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
ALERTS
Importer 2021 2022 The Tatarstan Republic nitrogen fertilizer and methanol producer AO
China 416627 606,987 Ammoni plans to start production of UAN in the autumn of this year,
according to a Fertilizerdaily report, citing Ammoni’s General Director
Indonesia 96,405 223,611 Dmitry Makarov.
Thailand 60,664 63,522 The new unit will have a design capacity of 150,000 mt/y, and will be
fully ramped up by 2024, according to the report. This year, Mende-
Malaysia 2,310 43,700 leevsk-based Ammoni will also begin the production of AdBlue and
South Korea 4,717 36,243 plans to complete the construction of a liquid CO2 production facility
by the end of 2023.
Philippines 9,855 9,919
The company early this year announced ambitious production expansion
Japan 1,060 8,840 plans, including an increase in nitrogen fertilizer production capacity
from the current 1 million mt/y to 3 million mt/y (GM Feb. 9, p. 29).
Sino-Agri’s exploitation area in Khammouane Province has a proven
K-Mg ore mf reserve of over 1 billion mt, equivalent to 152 million AO Ammoni has been owned by Russian fertilizer and chemicals pro-
mt of “pure potassium chloride resources,” according to Asia-Potash ducer Kemerovo Azot since July 2020 (GM July 24, 2020).
International’s website.
According to Asia-Potash, the subsidiary company started construction
Grupa Azoty Police Inks Deal on MMR Reactor
of a 500,000 mt/y potash production project in its exploitation area
after earlier completing a 100,000 mt/y potash fertilizer pilot project, Zakłady Chemiczne “Police” SA, a subsidiary of Polish fertilizer and
and is ultimately targeting production of 1 million mt/y. chemicals group Grupa Azoty, has inked an agreement with US-based
Ultra Safe Nuclear Construction (USNC) and the West Pomeranian
The two other sectors in the proposed industrial park will comprise “a University of Technology in Szczecin to develop and construct a nu-
non-potash” sector focused on “enriching resource utility with local coal, clear energy research facility based on USNC’s Micro-Modular (MMR)
bauxite ore, and other associated resources from the potash industrial reactor technology.
line,” Xinhua reported.
Over the next six months, the parties will prepare a research program
The third sector, the Asia-Potash village, aims to attract investors and and a plan for the construction and operation of the MMR, Azoty said
talent to accelerate the urbanization of Laos. Once operational, the in a March 29 statement.
project is anticipated to add $320 million to Laos’ annual fiscal revenue
and employ 30,000-50,000 local people, according to Xinhua. The collaboration is aimed at developing the full-scale use of nuclear
energy to power chemical processes and generate steam and hydrogen
at Azoty Police’s unit, Azoty said, adding this will represent another major
step towards decarbonization of the fertilizer and chemicals group’s
industrial processes.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 28
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
FEATURES
The proposed plant, which includes autothermal reforming with carbon Pacific Green’s development plan is for a 1 million square foot fully
capture, will be located at the Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center (EIEC) renewable hydrogen production facility to form ammonia, nitric acid,
near Corpus Christi, Texas. Once operational, the production facility will and AN. The company has not yet indicated approximate capacity goals.
be capable of supplying low-carbon ammonia at an expected capacity The capital expenditure is put at $1.2 billion and the company expects
of 1.2-1.4 million mt/y. Yara expects to contract full offtake from the pro- the facility to employ 160. The project’s timeline is for groundbreaking
posed facility, the two companies said in a joint statement. is 2024, with the plant to be operational in 2026-2027.
“Yara is pleased to be joining Enbridge in developing this significant According to the size of the plant, the company said peak electricity
clean ammonia project,” said Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, YCA President. demand is between 220-300 MW, with Pacific Green exploring addi-
“As presented at our Capital Markets Day, we are working systemat- tional energy storage to help reduce the peak demand burden. The
ically to develop project opportunities in the US and this project will company said logistics is highly focused on the final product shipment
significantly contribute to our strategy of decarbonizing agriculture as to farmers, with minimal import of resources. It expects to use 10 railcars
well as serving new clean ammonia segments such as shipping fuel, per day and/or 25 trucks, with rail highly preferable.
power production, and ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.”
The Port of Benton has agreed to assist the company in securing rail
If confirmed through the Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) phase access via spur to the Southern Connection 16-mile rail line to Kennewick,
and approved, the companies expect the total project investment to Wash. The port has a barge slip on the Columbia River.
be $2.6-$2.9 billion, with production start-up in 2027/2028. The two
The company said it would prefer to purchase land rather than lease,
companies stressed that the construction of any facilities will be subject
with an ideal site having access to rail and reasonable proximity to
to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.
interstate or suitable state highways. It said if no rail option is available,
Approximately 95% of the CO2 generated from the production process the company is open to using barges to ship its products to farmers
is anticipated to be captured and transported to nearby permanent and distribution centers.
geologic storage. Enbridge’s Texas Eastern Transmission Pipeline is
“We can focus on building new, green nitrate assets in the optimal lo-
expected to provide the transportation service for feed gas that will be
cations,” the company said on its website. “We will build our factories in
used for the production process, and Enbridge, along with Oxy Low
the market, near the farmer, providing security of supply and avoiding
Carbon Ventures, is advancing a nearby CO2 sequestration hub as a
the traditional inter-continental shipping of fertilizer with an associated
potential destination for the captured CO2.
time, cost, and carbon emissions.”
“We are excited to partner with Yara and collaborate on this clean
Pacific Green said by 2030 it will build and license a number of renew-
energy project, especially given their expertise in global ammonia
able fertilizer plants, build a new generation of fertilizer distribution in
projects, operations, and distribution,” said Colin Gruending, Enbridge
attractive markets, and leverage its position as a large, low-cost hydrogen
Executive Vice President and President, Liquids Pipelines. “EIEC is well
producer to help incubate hydrogen businesses.
positioned to become the most sustainable export terminal in North
America through low-carbon fuel production, carbon capture, and Atlas Agro is focused on producing green AN fertilizer. It said most of
solar self-power.” the world’s nitrogen fertilizer capacity is for urea, which is a carbon-con-
taining fertilizer that cannot be made green as it contains a CO2 in the
This is the second blue ammonia project that YCA has announced in
molecule. The company touts AN as a superior fertilizer, saying it can
the US this year. In January, the company inked a Memorandum of
directly be consumed by crops, unlike urea, which must be converted
Understanding with JERA Co. Inc., Japan’s largest power generator,
to nitrates by soil bacteria. This conversion process acidifies the soil,
to study the viability of collaborating on a 1 million plus mt/y blue am-
the company said, leading to burned roots.
monia project that YCA is considering developing on the Gulf Coast
(GM Jan. 20, p. 1). The company added that AN has 90% lower volatilization loss than urea,
provides a higher yield and better crop quality, and is more conducive
In May last year, Enbridge and Denver-based Humble Midstream LLC
to precision farming.
announced the joint development and marketing of a blue hydrogen
and ammonia production and export facility at the EIEC (GM May 13, As a new entrant into the fertilizer sector, Atlas Agro said it does not
2022). If built, the companies said at the time that the facility would cost have to worry about cannibalizing existing polluting assets or the costs
roughly $2.5-$3 billion and could come online as early as 2026, with involving in closing down unprofitable plants.
Enbridge and Humble jointly marketing the capacity. Atlas Agro said it is currently working closely with partners on project
development in the US, Brazil, and Paraguay, and encourages anyone
interested in zero-carbon nitrogen or explosives to reach out to the
company.
Atlas Agro’s business model focuses on utilizing clean energy sources
to power electrolyzers that will split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The company said its goal is to establish fully renewable production of
three major nutrients—phosphate, potash, and nitrogen.
The local newspaper, Tri-City Herald, reported that the company indi-
cated it will rely on nuclear power to fuel the operations, but this could
not be confirmed with Atlas Agro this week.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 29
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
FEATURES
The company put down a $400,000 deposit for land at the Port of
Benton, and the exact acreage will be determined in connection with USDA, from page 1
the company’s pre-development activities. Under the agreement, the
company can buy up to 260.1 acres. The first 150 acres are priced at Driven by lower inputs costs and high commodity prices, corn acreage
$1.39 per square foot, which would equate to a total of $9.08 million. is expected to be up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating states,
Beyond 150 acres, the price is $2.09 per square foot. USDA said, with North Dakota’s crop increasing 800,000 acres from
last year. Increases of 150,000 acres or more from last year are also ex-
Prior to closing the deal, the buyer would have to receive all approvals pected in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
necessary from local governmental authorities with respect to permitting,
construction, zoning and/or land use matters, as well as satisfying the Soybean planted area for 2023 is estimated at 87.5 million acres, up
requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. The slightly from last year and unchanged from the February estimate.
deal must close by March 1, 2026. Compared with last year, planted soybean acreage is up or unchanged
in 15 of the 29 estimating states, USDA said, with increases of 100,000
Atlas Agro North America has opened an office in Richland. It has hired acres or more anticipated in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota,
staff and is looking for more in the areas of general management, project and Wisconsin.
development, sales, finance, and strategic operations.
These soybean acreage increases are balanced by decreases of 100,000
acres or more in Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, and Missouri,
USDA said. If realized, the planted soybean area in Illinois, Nebraska,
Russia, from page 1
New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin will be the largest on record.
The quota on AN exports was originally 225,000 mt from Jan. 1-March All wheat planted area for 2023 is estimated at 49.9 million acres, up
31 and 828,500 mt from April 1-May 31. In late January, the government 9% from 2022 and slightly higher than USDA’s February projection of
increased the AN export quota by 375,000 mt (GM Jan. 27, p. 1). 49.5 million acres. The 2023 winter wheat planted area, at 37.5 million
With this week’s increase, the total export quota for certain types of acres, is up 13% from last year and up 2% from the previous estimate.
fertilizers that runs until May 31 will now exceed 12.6 million mt. In ad- Area planted to spring wheat for 2023 is estimated at 10.6 million acres,
dition to AN, the current export quotes mainly apply to urea and UAN, down 2% from 2022, while durum planted area is expected to total 1.78
as well as to compound fertilizers. million acres, up 9% from last year.
The Russian government is also looking to extend export quotas on All cotton planted area for 2023 is estimated at 11.3 million acres, down
certain types of fertilizer for another six months beyond May 31 to help a full 18% from last year, but up from USDA’s February estimate of 10.9
support the domestic market, according to another Interfax report, citing million acres. Upland area is estimated at 11.1 million acres, down 18%
Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev. from 2022, while American Pima area is estimated at 154,000 acres,
down 16% from 2022.
According to this week’s report, Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry
and the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service are working on the extension Area planted to rice in 2023 is expected to total 2.58 million acres, up
of the current set of measures to Nov. 30, 2023, as well as on fixing the 16% from 2022, with Arkansas expected to increase long grain acres
selling prices on the domestic market. by 14% from last year and California boosting its medium grain rice
acreage by 66%. Rice acreage in Texas, by contrast, is expected to be
Russia first introduced quotas for the export of nitrogen and complex at a record low this year.
fertilizers on Dec. 1, 2021 (GM Nov. 5, 2021). They were due to expire
on May 31, 2022, but the Russian government extended the quotas to USDA also released its quarterly Grain Stocks report, which showed
run from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022. Last December, Moscow extended the mostly lower inventories of grains as of March 1 versus the same time
export quotas to run until May 31, 2023 (GM Dec. 23, 2022). last year. Corn inventories were reported at 7.4 billion bushels, soybeans
at 1.69 billion bushels, and wheat at 946 million bushels, with corn and
soybean inventories coming in under analyst projections.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 30
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
FEATURES
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 31
HOME NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH SULFUR SPECIALTY CROPS INDICATORS ALERTS
Email: GMsupport@bloomberg.net
Phone: 800.531.0140 / +1.603.357.8103
Web: www.FertilizerPricing.com
Green Markets Contact Information: Pricing Notations:
Steve Seay, Associate Publisher...............................+1.603.357.8245 (sseay@green-markets.com) PRICE QUOTES DO NOT REFLECT ACTUAL TRANSACTIONS, BUT REPRESENT CURRENT MARKET
Daniel Cole, Executive Editor, North America...........................................................+1.603.357.8218 CONDITIONS AS PERCEIVED BY SELECTED BUYERS AND SELLERS.
(dcole@green-markets.com) Unless otherwise indicated, prices are based on large transactions, involving truckloads or larger volumes.
Dan Kubiske, Senior Correspondent, International.................................................+1.703.678.6833 All prices are net of discounts for volume, cash, or prompt payment, if such are offered.
(dkubiske@green-markets.com) Price spreads can be attributed to localized price differences or differing sizes of purchase.
Ryan Boyle, Correspondent, Phosphates/Sulfur....................................................... +1.415.967.3693 All prices are listed in US dollars, on a spot, FOB basis at the producer’s plant gate, terminal, or pipeline
(rpboyle@green-markets.com) point unless otherwise indicated with the following:
Jason Larareo, Associate Creative Director..................................... (jlarareo@green-markets.com) CFR: Include transportation to the destination port.
Daniel Houder, Managing Director................................................. (dhouder@green-markets.com) DEL: Delivered prices include transportation costs to the retail dealer’s premises or the nearest
accessible railhead.
Headquarters: PO Box 190, Sullivan, NH 03445 USA, with correspondents in major trading
CIF: The seller arranges for carriage of goods to destination.
centers worldwide.
FCA: The seller fulfils his obligation when goods are handed over, cleared for export into the
The data included in these materials are for illustrative purposes only. The BLOOMBERG TERMINAL ser- charge of the carrier.
vice and Bloomberg data products (the “Services”) are owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P.
(“BFLP”) except (i) in Argentina, Australia and certain jurisdictions in the Pacific islands, Bermuda, China, Posted: Prices posted at the manufacturing facility (producer) or mine location.
India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, where Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries (“BLP”) distribute these Retail: Retail prices. These quotes do not reflect actual transactions, but rather market conditions
products, and (ii) in Singapore and the jurisdictions serviced by Bloomberg’s Singapore office, where a as perceived by selected dealers.
subsidiary of BFLP distributes these products. BLP provides BFLP and its subsidiaries with global market- M: Price updated on a monthly basis.
ing and operational support and service. Certain features, functions, products and services are available C: Contract price.
only to sophisticated investors and only where permitted. BFLP, BLP and their affiliates do not guarantee
the accuracy of prices or other information in the Services. Nothing in the Services shall constitute or be I: Indicative. Typically assessed using FOB price plus freight to determine value.
construed as an offering of financial instruments by BFLP, BLP or their affiliates, or as investment advice ST: Short ton.
or recommendations by BFLP, BLP or their affiliates of an investment strategy or whether or not to “buy”, MT: Metric ton.
“sell” or “hold” an investment. Information available via the Services should not be considered as infor-
LT: Long ton.
mation sufficient upon which to base an investment decision. The following are trademarks and service
marks of BFLP, a Delaware limited partnership, or its subsidiaries: BLOOMBERG, BLOOMBERG ANY- NA: Prices not available or obtainable in the reporting period.
WHERE, BLOOMBERG MARKETS, BLOOMBERG NEWS, BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL, BLOOMBERG CNY: Chinese yuan.
TERMINAL and BLOOMBERG.COM. Absence of any trademark or service mark from this list does CAD: Canadian dollar.
not waive Bloomberg’s intellectual property rights in that name, mark or logo. All rights reserved.
EURO: Currency of the Eurozone.
© 2023 Bloomberg.
BPL: Bone phosphate of lime.
Green Markets is a service provided by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates. Green Markets shall not
constitute, nor be construed as, investment advice or investment recommendations (i.e., recommenda- Regional definitions are:
tions as to whether or not to “buy”, “sell”, “hold”, or to enter or not to enter into any other transaction Cornbelt: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska
involving any specific interest) or a recommendation as to an investment or other strategy. No aspect
of the Green Markets function is based on the consideration of a customer's individual circumstances. Eastern Cornbelt: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
Green Markets should not be considered as information sufficient upon which to base an investment Western Cornbelt: Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska
decision. You should determine on your own whether you agree with Green Markets. Southern Plains: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado
By purchasing a subscription, you expressly agree not to reproduce or redistribute Green Markets content South Central: Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana
without permission, including making the Green Markets content available to non-subscribers within your
company or elsewhere. For multi-user and firm-wide distribution programs or for copyright permission Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia
to republish articles, please email jping@green-markets.com or call +1.603.357.8160. Northeast: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New England
Reporting on commercial products herein is to inform readers only and does not constitute an Northern Plains: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
endorsement. Great Lakes: Michigan, Wisconsin
Notice: It is a violation of federal copyright law to reproduce all or part of this publication or its contents Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana
by any means.
Western Canada: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
To ensure compliance with all copyright regulations or to acquire a license for multi-subscriber distribution
Eastern Canada: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
within a company or for permission to republish, please contact Green Markets at +1.603.357.8160, or
e-mail jping@green-markets.com. Northwest Europe: Amsterdam, Belgium, Northwest Germany, Northwest France
Data Services: Green Markets offers a variety of data services. Your company can obtain weekly
pricing information on an automated basis with Green Markets Custom Fertilizer Pricing Data Feeds.
Leverage over 40 years of fertilizer pricing data with Green Markets Historical Fertilizer Pricing Reports.
Call +1.603.357.8160 or e-mail jping@green-markets.com.
Green Markets (ISSN 0149-5569) is published by Bloomberg L.P., PO Box 190, Sullivan NH 03445 USA. Tel: 800.531.0140 / +1.603.357.8103.
Green Markets® March 31 © 2023 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Prohibited by Law. FertilizerPricing.com 32