Global prices of phosphate fertilizers increase 10-15-2020

Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices are on a steady increase all around the world due to short production supplies.  Global demand for phosphate fertilizers in South Asia is predicted to remain strong, and export prices are likely to maintain stability while showing an upward trend.


The strike price of MAP and DAP imports from China in September has increased to USD 332-335/ton and the FOB price of MAP and DAP was USD 330/ton earlier in September. According to a news report, in early September, businesses in Thailand purchased DAP products from China at a CIF price of USD 340/ton. In India, a recent trade of DAP products from China took place at a CIF price of USD 340/ton.


China faces fertilizer competitors in Russia, Germany, and Tunisia

In the European market, imports of DAP from Russia averaged around USD 370/ton. Sellers at German ports quoted a similar price in early September but have since slightly decreased their price to USD 350/ton.


In many phosphorus companies in Russia, the FOB price of MAP products from Brazil went up to USD 350-355/ton, compared to the original price of USD 345-350/ton in September. In the United States, the port of New Orleans was closed due to hurricane Laura in September, but the shipping of phosphate fertilizers was largely unaffected.


The Tunisian chemical fertilizer producer, GCT, has gradually resumed its DAP production in order to satisfy the needs of consumers in Tunisia and southern European countries. The DAP demand in India and Pakistan still remains strong.


According to export volume data from China, the total exports of MAP in 2020 increased by 0.94% YoY, which shows a small change compared to the same period last year. This is because the main demand for MAP occurs during the first quarter, particularly from buyers located in South America.


China reduces fertilizer exports in early 2020 and increases domestic sales

The export volume of DAP shows a decrease of 440,000 tons during the period from January to April of 2020. This is mainly due to the following reasons. First, the production of many Chinese chemical fertilizer companies was limited by the effects of COVID-19. Second, during the first quarter, Chinese farmers were carrying out spring ploughing, and the demand of phosphorus fertilizers was very strong inside China. After the COVID-19 outbreak in China, many DAP manufacturers in China increased DAP production to ensure sufficient supplies during the spring ploughing in China. As a result, the exports of phosphorus fertilizers gradually dropped during the period from January to April of 2020.


From January to April of 2020, China exported MAP products mainly to Australia, South America, as well as Southeast Asia, while other regions accounted for less than 15% of the total export volume. Australia imported 310,000 tons of MAP from China while Brazil imported 153,000 tons of MAP from China.


From January to April of 2020, China exported DAP products mainly to India and Vietnam, with 210,000 tons of DAP exported to India and 180,000 tons of DAP exported to Vietnam. In the first half of 2020, China exported 85% of its DAP to Southeast Asian countries and only 15% of DAP to other districts. It is expected that the export price of DAP will grow steadily in the future.


For more information on China’s fertilizer market, please check our Phosphorus Industry China Monthly Report.

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