Urea
Demand for granular urea remains slow but falling international free on board (FOB) prices and strengthening of the Australian dollar have seen local prices fall.
Granular urea was last assessed at A$760-770/t fca Geelong.
There are 74,600t of urea on route to Australia over two vessels, vessel tracking data from Kpler show.
Phosphates
Local demand for MAP has slowed as growers continue to watch international FOB prices fall. There is said to be an ample supply of MAP/DAP from Saudi Arabia and Morocco, but local supply could become tight if cargoes are not organised with ample time to meet local demand when it arises. Australian farmers are resisting dealers’ encouragement to acquire tonnes.
There are 209,000t on route to Australia, Kpler data show. Imports tend to pick up from October before peaking in January–March, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows. Australia imported 470,200t of MAP/DAP in October – December 2024, but imports may only reach 110,800t for the period this year, as not all products will arrive by the year-end, ABS and Kpler data show.
CBH fertiliser sales
CBH fertiliser sales reached a record 297,000t, a 17% increase from the year earlier, because of favourable market conditions and sales of liquid fertiliser from the company's Kwinana fertiliser terminal, the company said on 15 December.
Mount Isa railway
Australia's Mount Isa rail line was shut after three locomotives and a wagon carrying zinc and copper derailed on 5 December. The line reopened at 7pm (AEST) on 8 December, rail operator Queensland Rail said.
January-October imports
Australian imports of urea fell by 7% on the year to 3.4 million tonnes in January-October, but this is still the second highest on record. Imports of MAP were similarly down from a year earlier, driven by a drop in Chinese exports.
Australia's MAP imports totalled 12,680 in October, down by 79% from a year earlier because of a drop in Chinese exports. Buying for the upcoming season was delayed by high international FOB prices in July that have since started to fall, ABS data show.
Commentary and pricing supplied by Argus Media
Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only.