IFA FERTILISER PRICE SURVEY 18th APRIL 2012 April 18, 2012

Sales volumes continue to lag last year’s levels. Keenest quotes are available for volume orders, group purchases and / or cash deals. The best quotes this week are from the North East and North midlands. Buying resistance by farmers at current price levels is helping to keep the competition the keen. Trade expectations are for CAN prices to fall over the coming weeks following on from a €30/t reduction in ammonium nitrate prices in France since the beginning of April. European wholesale nitrogen prices normally fall at this time of the year as the main buying season across Europe comes to a close.

Straight N	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster		325 – 340	305 – 315
	Connaught		325 – 350
	South Leinster	415 – 435	310 – 335	295 – 310
	North Leinster	410 – 440	306- 335	228 – 305
	Ulster		325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10/10/2020
	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	425 – 455	425-450	430 – 455	480 – 495
	440 – 455	420 – 460	425 – 465
	412 – 445	408 – 440	414 – 455	460 – 485
	408– 445	412 – 448	418 – 455	460 – 490
	430 – 450		425 – 455
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)
	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€315 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€316 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€422 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	15N-3P-20K	€406
	10N-5P-25K	€424
	15N-6P-20K	€446
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

Fertiliser Price Survey 29th March 2012 March 29, 2012

Prices are holding steady this week with fertiliser sales picking up significantly on previous weeks however; volumes continue to lag last year’s levels. Good deals are offer to farmers who are prepared to shop around, as many merchants fight to hold market share and retain good customers. Grass growth is way ahead of normal for the time of year boosted by the onset of the unusually warm dry weather. Many farmers have been able to cut back on the volume of nitrogen used so far this spring.  Bulk CAN prices are keenest in the northern part of the country ranging from €284/t up delivered farm for Ukrainian product.

Straight N	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster	430 – 455	325 – 340	300 – 310
	Connaught	428 – 460	325 – 350
	South Leinster	410 – 435	310 – 335	288 – 310
	North Leinster	410 – 440	305- 335	284 – 305
	Ulster	420 -  440	325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10/10/2020
	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	425 – 455	425-450	430 – 455	480 – 495
	440 – 455	420 – 460	425 – 465
	415 – 445	405 – 440	400 – 455	460 – 485
	412– 445	412 – 448	418 – 455	460 – 490
	430 – 450		425 – 455
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)
	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€312 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€316 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€424 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	15N-3P-20K	€406
	10N-5P-25K	€424
	15N-6P-20K	€446
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

Fertiliser Price Survey 21st March 2012 March 21, 2012

A mild winter coupled with good grass cover has enabled many farmers to cut back on the application of early spring nitrogen and this has been reflected in the volume of fertiliser sold to date.

Prices remain under pressure this week with the trade having to fight for every load as more and more farmers shop around for value.

Local price wars and the resulting fight to retain market share by a number of major players has forced the industry to cut their margins.

Bulk CAN prices are keenest in the northern part of the country with the recent boat of Ukrainian product setting the benchmark price.

Bulk CAN continues to trade around the mid €280 per tonne mark delivered farm. Many merchants are attempting to switch farmers from the main stream pasture and cut swards (27-2.5-5 and 24-2.5-10) in an effort to boost margins as the keenest quotes for these products remain close to the €400/t mark.

Straight N	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster	430 – 455	328 – 340	300 – 310
	Connaught	428 – 460	325 – 350
	South Leinster	408 – 435	308 – 335	288 – 310
	North Leinster	410 – 440	308- 335	284 – 305
	Ulster	420 -  440	325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10-10-2020
	Big Bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	425 – 455	425-450	430 – 455	480 – 495
	440 – 455	420 – 460	425 – 465
	415 – 445	405 – 440	400 – 455	460 – 485
	417 – 445	412 – 448	418 – 455	460 – 490
	430 – 450		425 – 455
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)
	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€312 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€316 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€424 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

Fertiliser Price Survey 14th March 2012 March 14, 2012

CAN (27%N) prices have come under pressure this week as the trade reacts to the arrival of a new supplier to market. Bulk CAN delivered farm has been offered at €286/t in the Northern and Eastern part of the country.

Bulk CAN prices have come under pressure this week as the trade reacted to the arrival of a new supplier to market.  The latest consignment of CAN has been offered at €286/t delivered farm in the Leinster area. Some supplies have made their way down into Munster initially being offered at €300/t delivered before falling below €295/t. With the fertiliser season now in full swing it is critical that farmers continue to shop around as merchants will try to avoid pricing citing supply and logistical problems in an effort to maintain margins.  Ongoing price wars have seen 27-2.5-5 and 24-2.5-10 bagged delivered still on offer at close to €400/t.

Farmers need to remain vigilant regarding the relative value of different compounds when purchasing product as often what looks to be a good deal can be much more expensive than the mainstream product. E.g. 24-2.2-4.5 is worth approximately 11.5% (€45t – €50/t) less than 24-2.5-10 but it is selling within €10/t to €15/t of 24-2.5-10.

Straight N	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster	430 – 455	325 – 340	300 – 310
	Connaught	428 – 460	330 – 350
	South Leinster	405 – 435	308 – 335	290 – 310
	North Leinster	406 – 440	305- 335	284 – 305
	Ulster	420 -  440	325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10/10/2020
	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	425 – 455	425-450	430 – 455	480 – 495
	440 – 455	420 – 460	425 – 465
	415 – 445	405 – 440	400 – 455	460 – 485
	417 – 445	412 – 448	418 – 455	460 – 490
	430 – 450		425 – 455
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)
	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€312 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€316 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€424 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

Fertiliser Price Survey 7th March 2012 March 7, 2012

Fertiliser sales have moved up a gear this week. Buyer groups and volume purchasers continue to get the best deals. Extended credit terms of up to 90 days are being offered to credit worthy buyers on top of cash prices in an effort to secure orders. The scramble by a number of suppliers and merchants to grow market share or even maintain current levels has seen prices come back further in some areas this week. Bulk CAN delivered farm is on offer at €286/t in the North East and North Midlands pulling the market by €9/t over the last week. Ongoing price wars have seen 27-2.5-5 and 24-2.5-10 bagged delivered offered at close to €400/t this week. Farmers need to be mindful of the relative value of different compounds when purchasing product as often what looks to be a good deal can be much more expensive than the mainstream product. E.g. 24-2.2-4.5 is worth approximately 11.5% (€45t – €50/t) less than 24-2.5-10 but is selling within €10/t to €15/t of 24-2.5-10.

	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
Straight N		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster	435 – 455	325 – 340
	Connaught	460	330 – 350
	South Leinster	406 – 435	308 – 335	295 – 308
	North Leinster	408 – 440	310- 335	286 – 305
	Ulster	425 -  440	325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10/10/2020
	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	430 – 455	425-450	430-455	480 – 495
	440 – 455	420-460	425-465
	418 – 445	405-440	400-455	460 – 485
	418 – 445	412-448	418-455	460 – 490
	430 – 450		425-455
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€316 – €330
	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€316 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€319 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€430 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

Fertiliser Price Survey 29th February 2012 March 1, 2012

Prices remain keen as merchants continue to fight for better business. Local price wars are keeping downward pressure on prices despite earlier attempts by the trade to talk up prices. The differential between full and part deliveries continues to widen with increasing fuel costs. Co-ordinating full loads that facilitates direct delivery from the factory / depot / port,  even with up to 3 drops is delivering significant savings.

Volumes have picked up this week. Despite this strong competition for good business has maintained a lid on prices. Escalating diesel prices are putting upward pressure on delivery costs especially for small loads. Farmers should look to coordinate deliveries with neighbours as the best deals are available for full loads delivered ex factory / depot even where the loads are split among 2 or 3 farmers. The ongoing price war in the South East has held granular urea around the €400/t level and 10-10-20 at €460/t for bagged product (top lift) delivered farm.

	Region	Granular Urea	CAN
Straight N		Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk
	Munster	435 – 455	325 – 340
	Connaught	460	330 – 350
	South Leinster	405 – 435	308 – 335
	North Leinster	408 – 440	310- 335	296 – 305
	Ulster	425 -  440	325 -350
NPK Compounds	!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10/10/2020
	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
	430 – 455	425-450	430-455	480 – 495
	440 – 455
	425 – 445	419-440	425 – 455	460 – 485
	418 – 445	418-448	423 – 455	460 – 490
	435 – 450
Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)	CAN 24%N + 6%S	€316 – €330
	CAN 27%N + 3%S	€319 – €340
	18N-6P-12K + 5%S	€430 – €445
	11N-4P-18K	€420
	11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€420	(Malt Master)
	11N-6P-17K	€425 – €440	(Target)
	10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€430 – €455	(Malt Master)
	10N-5P-25K	€423 – €430
	10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na	€455 – €475	(Malt Master)
	13N-6P-17K	€435 – €450
	9N-10P-20K	€476 – €490
	0 -7P-30K	€420 – €445

 

IFA FERTILISER PRICE SURVEY – 22nd February 2012 February 23, 2012

Local price wars are keeping downward pressure on prices as merchants scrap for good business. Volumes traded have eased as early movers have completed deals and many other farmers adopt a wait and see approach to price direction. The South East remains the most competitive for granular urea with deals still on offer around the €400/t level and 10-10-20 available at €460/t for bagged product (top lift) delivered farm. Demand across mainland Europe is picking up as temperatures improve.

Other Compounds (€/t bagged, delivered)                                                

CAN 24%N + 6%S                                                 €315 – €330

CAN 27%N + 3%S                                                  €318 – €340

18N-6P-12K + 5%S                                                €430 – €445

11N-4P-18K                                                            €420

11N- 5P-17K + 5%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na                €420                        (Malt Master)

11N-6P-17K                                                             €425 – €440             (Target)

10N-6P-17K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na               €430 – €455             (Malt Master)

10N-5P-25K                                                            €423 – €430

10N-8P-16K + 4%S + 2%Mg + 2%Na               €455 – €475            (Malt Master)

13N-6P-17K                                                            €435 – €450

9N-10P-20K                                                           €476 – €490

0 -7P-30K                                                                €420 – €445

Region	GranularUrea	CAN		!8-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10-10-20
	Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk	Big Bag, delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Granular Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
Munster	435 – 455	324 – 340		430 – 455	425-450	430-455	480 – 495
Connaught	460	330 – 350		440 – 455
South Leinster	400 – 435	309 – 335		425 – 445	419-440	425-455
North Leinster	409 – 440	310- 335	298 – 305	420 – 445	420-448	426-455	460 – 490
Ulster	425 -  440	330 -350		435 – 450

Grain and Fertiliser Update 09 November 2011 November 9, 2011

• The USDA released its November crop report today. There were no major changes on the wheat front where it was revised marginally higher. The 2011/12 world wheat supply is estimated 2.6Mt higher due to an increase of 2mt in Kazakhstan and 1.16mt in Europe. Total European wheat production is now put at 137.49mt with the main revisions occurring in France, Spain, the UK and the Czech Republic. The increase in world production is offset by increased consumption (+2.4mt).

 

• On the maize front US yields have been revised to their lowest level since 2003 to 146.7bu/ac taking the market by surprise. However, the 3.1mt fall in production is to an extent offset by anticipated 2.5mt reduction in feed and industrial use. Despite a 30.3mt increase in world maize production increased consumption will see closing stocks for the current marketing year (2011/2012) down 7.5mt on last season to 121.5mt.

 

• The EU’s market response to the USDA report was muted. Dried Irish grain prices remained unchanged, having improved marginally over the past week. Barley is trading from €184 to €189/t with wheat trading from €187 to €191/t. Oats are trading around the €200/t mark.

 

• Suppliers are reluctant to quote for fertiliser currently. Bagged CAN delivered farm is being quoted from €300/t to €335/t with the majority of buyers quoting from €320 up. Indications coming from some of the manufacturers are to hold off purchasing for the moment as prices are expected to slip.

 

Table 1:  Fertiliser Prices November 2010 versus 2011

	November 2010	November 2011	Price Change
CAN 27%	282 – 298	300 – 335	+ 27.50
Granular Urea	375 – 400	440 +	+ 53
10-10-20	420 – 440	NA
18-6-12	385	NA

*Prices quoted are for product bagged delivered.

Fertiliser Price Survey 13th July 2011 July 13, 2011

International wholesale urea prices have fallen by $30 to $40/t to the mid $400’s in last fortnight, having risen by over $200/t since spring to reach a high of $500/t by late June.

The jury is out on whether the current price drop will continue or is it just a temporary reprieve as Brazil, Pakistan and India are due back into the market over the coming months.

Unfortunately wholesale prices both for phosphorous (€440 – €450/t) and potash (€363 – €368/t) continue to creep upwards.

Falling world cereal prices in recent weeks is leading to increased buyer resistance in the northern hemisphere.

Region	Granulated Urea	CAN		18-6-12	27-2.5-5	24-2.5-10	10-10-20
	Big Bag, delivered	Big Bag, delivered	Bulk	Big Bag, delivered	Granulated Big bag delivered	Granulated Big bag delivered	Big bag delivered
Munster		305- 335		405 – 440	408 – 438	412 – 440
Connaught		312 – 340		410– 440	412 – 440	418 – 445
South Leinster		304 – 335		400 – 445	400– 435	410 – 445
North Leinster		304 – 335		400– 430	398 – 430	405 – 438
Ulster		306 -340		405 – 440	404 – 445	415 – 450