“The Urea market is firming in the US, continuing to give producers everywhere a firm base for new pricing,” says Calum Findlay, Gleadell Agriculture’s fertiliser trader.

“The lack of tonnage in the US will help to keep prices high, corn prices are at healthy levels and weather permitting, spring 2010 plantings should be high, leading to a big demand.

“In the Ukraine and Russia, producers there are facing strong demand for Ammonium Nitrate both domestically and into Turkey and they are now restricting tonnages to export.

“In the UK, prices continue to be slow to react to global forces but prices are all set to rise as demand increases following an autumn lull.

“The UK nationals have announced a £6/tonne price rise for November deliveries, moving prices to over £190/tonne delivered to farm.

“Granular Urea is now entering the frame and advice would be to buy today in advance of further price hikes.

“Phosphate prices continue to bounce along the bottom and Potash continues to be ignored with prices as high as they are.

“Yara have announced new NPK prices for Jan/Feb/March delivery for all granular compounds.  These look a good buy when compared to blended products,” Mr Findlay adds.

by Calum Findlay, fertiliser trader. Telephone 01427 421244 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes:
1)  Prices quoted are indicative only at the time of going to press and subject to location and quality.

2)  Gleadell Agriculture cannot accept liability arising from errors or omissions in this publication.

3)  mln/t = million tonnes, mt = metric tonnes, kg/hl = kilogram per hectolitre, k/mt = thousand tonnes