🌍 Who Really Controls the World's Sulphur Supply?
I'll be honest — sulphur isn't the most glamorous topic. But the numbers behind it? They tell a powerful story about global industrial dominance.
Here's what the data reveals:
🇨🇳 China produces a staggering 19,000 thousand metric tons — nearly double its closest rival. That's not dominance. That's a different league entirely.
🇺🇸 United States (8,100) and 🇷🇺 Russia (7,500) follow, but the gap is significant.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and 🇦🇪 UAE remind us of something often overlooked — sulphur is a direct byproduct of oil & gas refining. Where energy flows, sulphur follows.
And countries like 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, and 🇮🇳 India quietly but consistently keep global supply chains moving.
Total global output? ~84,000 thousand metric tons.
đź’ˇ Why should you care?
Because sulphur is the invisible backbone of modern agriculture. No sulphur → no sulphuric acid → no phosphate fertilizers → food security is at risk. It touches everything from the crops on your plate to the batteries in your car.
In a world increasingly shaped by supply chain fragility and resource nationalism, knowing who produces what isn't just academic — it's strategic intelligence.
The next time you read about fertilizer prices or agricultural output, remember: it starts with sulphur.
Might be they take only L1 cargo
https://www.suryaa.com/177815-australia-to-import-250-000-tonnes-of-fertiliser-urea-from-indonesia.html
Morning. IPL acceptances confirmed 2.8 mil tons. Nola Urea saw April phys barges come under pressure y'day with values dropping under $700 ($685), while on Int'l paper, July Brazil found value at $748cfr. Mkts framed:
AG
Apr $820//$880
May $800//$875
Jun $750//$800
Cfr Brazil
Apr $770//$830
May $760//$825
Jun $750//$800
Jul $705//$748 – traded $748
Aug $660//$735
Egypt
Apr $830//$890
Brazil Amsul
May $280//$295
Jun $275//$295
Nola
Phys: Apr traded $740, $730, $725, $712, $710, $700, $695, $685. Fh May $730, $720, $710, $695, $686
Paper:
Apr $710//$730
May $670//$700
Jun $655//$680
Jul $565//$590
Aug $560//$595
Q3 traded $580
UAN Nola
Apr $500//$540
May $500//$535
DAP Nola
Apr $720//$750
May $780//$800
June $700//$775
MAP Brazil
Apr $875//$915
Jun $880//$910
AG weekly index = $916.50, Apr Avg = $838.83
Cfr Brazil weekly index = $800, Apr Avg = $778.33
Egypt weekly index = $887.50, Apr Avg = $847.83
Brazil Amsul weekly index = $292.50, Apr Avg = $295
UAN Nola weekly index = $515, Apr Avg = $495
DAP Nola weekly index = $750, Apr Avg = $732.17
MAP Brazil weekly index $880, Apr Avg = $875
Market News: Due to the occurrence of isolated instances of urea being stockpiled at ports, it has been reported that relevant authorities and associations are discussing new port inspection measures. Prior to the issuance of quotas for 2026, any urea cargo that has been stockpiled in advance will not be allowed to pass through port inspections. Goods under the factory’s own quota must pass through factory inspections before they can be stockpiled; otherwise, they will not be granted permission for export shipment. These measures are aimed at ensuring the stability and sufficiency of current domestic market supplies.
Crushed sulphur in bulk
30000mts +/-5pct moloo
Aqaba/8000x
Fangcheng/8000x
Mid May shipment
Rated via Gulf of Arden
USD 39/40/Mt
Fertilizer China Daily
2026-04-16
​​I: Fertilizer industry prices
​​II: Relevant product market analysis
​Nitrogen: The domestic urea market continued to remain stable today, with most factories still implementing the maximum guidance limit price, and market demand support still mainly came from downstream fertilizer factory raw material procurement. In the national market, 20 suppliers were received from India's IPL urea import tender on April 15. The total amount of the bid is 5.9203 million tons, with the lowest quoted price of 959 USD / MT CIF in the east coast and 935 USD / MT in the west coast. The lowest quoted price in the east coast is equivalent to over 6000 RMB / MT for domestic urea factories. However, the export of urea in China is still limited.
The domestic ammonium chloride market remains at a high level, factories are mainly responsible for executing pre-emptive orders, and new orders are not active, downstream waste enterprises are mainly to meet their own short-term procurement, and new consignment enthusiasm is not high.​
The domestic ammonium sulfate market price has declined, tender prices for ammonium coking sulfate enterprises have been introduced, and the bidding sentiment of the industry has declined. The bidding prices have significantly declined compared with the previous period. The market for ammonium hexane sulfate is stable and there is no pressure on shipments. High international urea prices continue to favour the domestic ammonium sulfate market, but the export advantage gradually weakens, and the news faces the impact of industry sentiment.
​Phosphorus fertilizer: The domestic ammonium phosphate market stabilized at a high level. Companies continue to implement pre-orders mainly, the supply of supplies continues to tighten, traders are standing up for prices and shying away from sales, downstream factories mostly digest pre-existing inventories, and maintain only a small amount of short-term inventory. The market's wait-and-see sentiment remains constant, and the overall trading atmosphere is dim.
Ammonium phosphate market focuses: The domestic ammonium phosphate industry is firm and well organized. Enterprise production costs continued to be under pressure, installation maintenance increased, spot supply continued to tighten, grassroots demand gradually diminished, downstream purchasing willingness was low, and the overall trading atmosphere was muted.
​Potash: The domestic potash sulfate market is operating at a high level, production cost pressure is heavy at Mannheim plants, most plants are in a loss state, and the overall plant operating rate is low. Downstream factories are not very enthusiastic about purchasing, and the market is a very wait-and-see atmosphere.
The domestic potash chloride market is in order, the stocks of port import potash ports are low, the market availability of supplies is limited, and traders' offers have not changed significantly. Demand in the downstream market has weakened, the wait-and-see atmosphere is strong, and new contracts are deadlocked
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-INDIA RECEIVED 6 MILLION MT OFFERS; THUS, INDIA IS IN LINE TO ACHIEVE CONCLUSIONS OF AROUND 2 MILLION MT. UREA PRICES KEEP GOING UP AND CLOSING IN ON USD 1,000 PMT BENCHMARK
-PROCESSED PHOSPHATE PRICES KEEP GOING UP DUE TO LIMITED SUPPLY FROM SAUDI ARABIA, AND WITH CHINA STILL NOT EXPORTING
-POTASH PRICES GOING UP ON THE BACK OF INCREASED LOGISTICS COSTS
-AMMONIA BENCHMARKS PUSHED TO HIGHER LEVELS THIS WEEK
UREA
Indian Potash Limited (IPL) results from the 15th of April tender for shipments to 14 June saw a lowest West Coast offer of $935 per MT cfr from Millennium Commodity for 56,000 MT, and the lowest East Coast offer was submitted by both Chasemax and Ameropa at $959 per MT cfr. The price differential between the lowest west and east coast offers is a notable $24 per MT, implying most suppliers will now target the east coast.
Of note, the next-lowest offer on the west coast was from Aditya Birla Group at $941.70 per MT cfr for a sizeable 700,000 MT. The company also offered 650,000 MT into the East Coast at $966 per MT cfr.
Close to 6 million MT of urea was offered in this tender. This volume far outstrips the available product for this tender. A brief rundown shows that from the Middle East, unless the Strait of Hormuz opens, only OMIFCO of Oman will be able to supply. Algeria and Egypt will be willing suppliers of volume to India, backed by a superior netback vs. other options. Nigeria will have volumes available, and the same applies to Russian products; Baltic could deliver as much as 700,000 MT, and Black Sea origin could deliver around 100,000 MT. Again, netbacks are much more favourable to any other destination. NOLA would today give a netback of around USD 100 PMT less to Russian suppliers than in the India tender. The full May NOLA price guide is for USD 820-830 PMT CFR equivalent, falling way short of India netbacks to producers everywhere.
In Southeast Asia, there could be tonnage originating in Indonesia, subject to Pupuk Indonesia conducting a tender by the end of April. Brunei and Malaysia will also have products available, albeit in limited quantities, from the latter due to a temporary production halt at its Bintulu plant. However, according to Bloomberg, a deal has been struck between Pupuk Indonesia and Incitec Pivot of Australia for the supply of 250,000 MT of granular urea between May and December 2026. This could put into question the timing for a new Pupuk Indonesia export tender.
The big question mark is again China, and whether the government would be tempted to take advantage of India’s tender result to ease export restrictions. However, unconfirmed information overnight indicates that China intends to safeguard domestic fertilizer supply for the spring planting season. The Nitrogen Fertilizer Association has announced that no self-regulated urea exports will be arranged until local inventories are sufficiently replenished and market prices show signs of easing. In addition, any fertilizer cargo that has been stockpiled at ports in advance will not be permitted for export under any circumstances.
IPL is targeting up to 2.5 million metric tonnes of urea in this tender. The tender seeks to build stocks ahead of the Kharif season, at a time when both international supply and domestic production have been affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Indeed, there is no doubt that India could easily secure 1.5 million MT, possibly up to 2.5 million MT, thereby meeting the initial requirement.
In perspective, the lowest offers compared to prices of $508-512 per MT cfr in the 18 February purchasing tender, through which close to 1.3 million tonnes were awarded. They are marginally below those in the 11 November 2021 inquiry, which set a price record of $981.64-998.50 per MT cfr. Importantly, the lowest offers signal a further advance in international urea values with implied West Coast netbacks approaching $920 per MT fob Oman and just under $900 per MT fob North Africa.
The India results are bad news for all markets, particularly Australia and Thailand, which are both in the middle of their buying season. Securing product is one thing, but will affordability kick in and prevent farmers from buying at these prices?
The Australian government has taken measures to streamline biosecurity processes for fertilizer imports, allowing farmers to access the product more quickly, the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said today.
The changes are intended to reduce the time and cost of port clearances for fertilizer at a time when the Middle East conflict has constrained availability, while upholding “the existing key requirement for imported inorganic fertilizer to be free from contaminants”, DAFF said.
The changes to biosecurity measures include allowing certification by an authorized offshore inspector, providing bagged samples for prior inspection for the import of product from “higher risk pathways”, and “simplified offshore entity registration and streamlined onshore compliance inspections”.
Initial market reports suggest that Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) received just one offer in the latest tender for 200,000t of bagged granular urea. Montage Oil has been linked with an offer for 25,000t at $1,010pt cfr Chittagong and $1,012pt cfr Mongla. The tender followed the earlier 9 April inquiry, which received no offers.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a massive game-changer, and again, if it remains closed, 1 million MT per month of exports get lost.
Chinese producers could easily have stepped in and taken advantage of this geopolitical situation, but whether the Chinese government will cave in and be tempted by the massive price increases remains unanswered, at least for now. Persistent rumors claim that Chinese urea exports will become available from May 1st onwards. Time will tell!
PHOSPHATES
MAP availability in Brazil remains severely limited, with prices largely stable this week as low supply meets weak inland demand.
OCP remains out of the Brazilian MAP market amid Q2 production cuts, while other suppliers have not reported any fresh sales. One producer suggested that $900pt cfr was now achievable for certain ports such as Rio Grande.
Still, the latest bulk MAP sales to Brazil were concluded at $880pt cfr, and some participants believe buyers could still purchase at around this price if the product is available.
Brazil’s MAP prices have jumped $140pt over the past six weeks and are at their highest level since August 2022. Latest prices have hit demand, but there seems to be little prospect of any respite from tight supply over the coming weeks.
Ex-port prices for MAP are pegged by one Brazilian importer at $925pt dpu Paranagua, reflecting roughly $885pt cfr equivalent.
The Brazilian import window for MAP purchases of soybeans is gradually closing, though importers still have some time to wait and see whether availability improves. Saudi Arabian exports via the Strait of Hormuz are still not possible for now.
Rapidly rising costs also continue to squeeze domestic producers in Brazil. Reports last week suggested that Mosaic was offering domestically produced MAP at $920pt cfr equivalent, though this has not been confirmed.
Multiple DAP deals are reported for May loading to East Africa at $890-900pt cfr, up from the latest activity in the region at $800-805pt cfr for April loading.
Maaden is understood to have sold a 40,000t DAP cargo to Tanzania at $890pt cfr for May loading. The deal is understood to reflect roughly $ 855 per ton fob.
A Russian 60,000t DAP cargo reportedly sold to Ethiopia for May loading at roughly $900pt cfr, while a 60,000t DAP cargo from Maaden also sold for May at roughly $900pt cfr, or roughly $865pt fob.
March DAP offtake in Pakistan jumped to 150,000t from 49,000t in the same month of 2025, according to the latest NFDC report.
Offtake during the full Rabi 2025-26 season (October-March) reached 835,000t, down 1.4% yr-on-yr following the jump in March demand. Average DAP prices inland were PKR14,259 per 50kg bag in March, up from PKR14,090 per bag in February.
Pakistan’s Kharif 2025 (April-September) DAP offtake had edged up 1.2% yr-on-yr to 650,000t while Rabi 2024-25 offtake (October-March) reached 847,000t, down 3.3% yr-on-yr at a historically low level due to high inland prices.
Full-year 2025 DAP offtake in Pakistan dropped 16% yr-on-yr to 1.34Mt from 1.6Mt in 2024. This was down 39% from the 2.2Mt demand seen in 2020.
DAP/MAP production in China reached 5.1Mt in January-February 2026, a slight rise from 5.0Mt in the same period 2025, according to the latest industry data. This comes amid government pressure to supply the domestic spring season despite a significant rise in sulfur prices.
Into March/April, DAP/MAP production reportedly slowed in China, ending March at roughly 51% of capacity, down from over 60% at the same period in 2025. The total volume for March is expected to be 2.4 Mt, down from 2.7 Mt, with April expected to be 2.3 Mt, down from 2.5 Mt.
As a result, China’s Jan-April DAP/MAP production is forecast at 9.8Mt, down 3.9% from 10.2Mt in the same period 2025. With the spring season concluding, production rates are likely to drop further into May, with no allowance for export into June/July.
January through December 2025 DAP/MAP production in China reached 30.62Mt, a slight 0.4% rise from 30.50Mt in the full year 2024.
POTASH
Potash prices remained broadly stable this week, except for the US, and no spot deals were reported. The broader market concern, however, centers on whether farmers have the appetite to sustain potash purchases in the coming months. While suppliers maintain a bullish outlook, market participants remain wary of deteriorating fundamentals, including adverse weather conditions, elevated freight rates, softening crop prices, and growing affordability pressures. Indonesia is already bracing for a 'Godzilla El Niño', which threatens to drive up temperatures, heighten wildfire risks, intensify droughts, and potentially suppress palm oil output. In Europe, demand has remained subdued following severe flooding caused by Storm Leonardo across Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Italy earlier in the year, prompting farmers to adopt a wait-and-see approach, according to market participants. Freight rates, meanwhile, had already been climbing prior to the Middle East conflict, driven by ice in the Baltic region. Once the icy conditions eased, the outbreak of the Middle East war compounded pressures further, pushing freight rates up by 34% across major MOP trade routes in under six weeks.
Brazilian MOP prices held steady, though Canadian suppliers are eyeing $430–450/t CFR for July shipments, with potash remaining the most affordable nutrient in the country. Despite robust import volumes, Brazil received 3.1 Mt of MOP imports in Q1, and farmer appetite is a growing concern.
Southeast Asian prices remain stable, though several headwinds are building, including the anticipated El Niño impact on Indonesia, elevated freight and fuel costs stemming from the Middle East conflict, and a correction in palm oil prices following the ceasefire news.
In China, prices remain stable. India, meanwhile, appears in no hurry to conclude contract negotiations, which are now expected to be finalized at or before the IFA conference in Monaco at the end of June.
Potash prices are expected to tick higher due to higher logistics costs.
AMMONIA
Global ammonia benchmarks pushed to new highs this week. The clearest price signal came from India, where Performance Chemiserve Limited confirmed a transaction at $800-810/t CFR for May arrival, the first confirmed deal above $800/t CFR and a level that would have seemed extreme a month ago.
The Indian assessment moved to $800-850/t CFR, with speculative offers emerging in the low-to-mid $900s/t CFR. The timing is significant: India's downstream fertilizer producers are returning from their seasonal maintenance period ahead of the Kharif application season, and the demand recovery is running directly into one of the tightest supply environments the market has seen.
The supply side continues to worsen. Iran reimposed its export ban on ammonia and urea on 13 April, the same day the US blockade of Iranian ports took effect, just weeks after production had tentatively resumed following the earlier South Pars strikes. GPIC in Bahrain confirmed damage to its facility following an Iranian attack on 5 April, with ammonia-related infrastructure among the systems affected.
Southeast Asian offer levels reflected the demand pull from multiple directions simultaneously, with indications moving to $650-700/t FOB, a sharp step up from $600/t the previous week. With Middle Eastern supply tied up, Australian tonnes offline after the Yara Pilbara outage, and China's export suspension still unresolved, the region is facing growing pressure. Vessel availability is adding a further constraint, limiting the ability of even willing sellers to commit to supply.
In North Africa, Algerian ammonia values moved sharply higher, with a 15,000-t sale at $810/t FOB rumoured on 16 April. Whether gas curtailments that began at the end of March have fully resolved remains unclear, though sources suggest that available feedstock continues to be prioritized for urea production over ammonia. Netted forward to Northwest Europe, an $810/t FOB Algerian level would imply around $875/t CFR before trader margin, broadly consistent with the $890/t CFR bid heard but not concluded in NW Europe this week. No fresh European trades were confirmed, with both product availability and vessel programs constrained.
US Gulf export volumes have climbed sharply, with Kpler data showing April loadings of 169,392 t, more than double February's 65,707 t, as Beaumont and GCA contribute alongside CF Industries for the first time in a sustained way. Three US-origin vessels departed for Heroya, one each from all three producers. Further liftings are expected before the month-end.
Ammonia benchmarks are expected to remain under strong upward pressure. Recovering Indian demand is adding further competition for Southeast Asian tonnes in a market that is structurally short east of Suez
Hope all is well. Please see below our weekly market report:
Nexus Weekly Update
16/04/26
In the Far East and South East Asia, it has been another firm week, with rates continuing to rise. Increased stability in bunker prices has improved owners’ confidence, although some caution remains when discussing cargoes beyond May. In the Far East, a healthy level of backhaul cargoes has helped reduce tonnage across both Handysize and Supramax segments. Further south, in South East Asia, strong demand for Indonesian coal has provided additional support, with this trend expected to continue as buyers seek alternatives to oil and LNG, which are constrained in the Middle East. Overall, with tonnage tightening and cargo enquiry remaining firm, the region is expected to maintain its upward momentum, with rates likely to continue rising into the end of the month.
In the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to international shipping, although direct strikes on vessels have eased from the start of the war. Insurance premiums for ports outside the Gulf have started to soften as owners and underwriters adjust to a more stable, albeit restricted, operating environment. As a result, more cargoes are beginning to emerge for early May dates from the Indian Ocean (excluding the Gulf) with the market increasingly pricing in new routes and trade directions. Improved bunker stability has also supported activity, although forward fixing remains cautious, with many reluctant to commit too far ahead given the continued volatility and risk of sudden escalation.
Further south in South Africa, it has been a relatively soft week, with a notable reduction in manganese ore enquiry and fewer coal fixtures reported. Owners are asking for higher rates, supported by recent strength in SE Asia and Brazil; however, fixture levels have remained largely flat. Owners believe that should momentum in the surrounding areas continue in the coming weeks, charterers will have little choice but to increase their ideas.Â
In the Mediterranean and Continent, it has been a rather lacklustre week. A slow start due to Orthodox Easter saw many players away from their desks early in the week, and little activity has followed on their return. A lack of cargoes, combined with a build-up of tonnage, is placing pressure on rates. The saving grace for the region comes from a stronger USG and ECSA market, which is expected to persist. As a result, some owners may look to ballast in order to capitalise on more attractive earnings while they remain available.Â
The US Gulf has had a very strong week, with rates for large fronthauls rising daily. These gains have been most pronounced in the Supramax segment, with Handysize rates also beginning to follow. The Baltic Supramax rate from the USG to the Far East has increased by over 20% in the past 10 days, underlining the upward momentum in the market. The primary driver remains strong coal and petcoke exports from the region. Another key development is the growing view among owners that the Panama Canal is effectively closed to dry bulk, with auction prices now well beyond workable levels. LNG carriers and other non-dry bulk vessel types are rumoured to be securing slots for over USD 1 million, effectively shutting out bulkers. As a result, tonne-miles are expected to increase, tightening tonnage supply in the Atlantic and supporting further upside in rates.
Further south on the East Coast, it has also been a strong week, with rates continuing to push higher. However, unlike the USG, question marks are beginning to emerge, with some players describing the market as increasingly toppy. Both Handysize and Supramax segments are currently performing well, largely supported by an uptick in grain cargoes entering the market. It remains to be seen whether this increased level of enquiry can be sustained, with participants expected to monitor rates closely in the coming week.Â
Bunker prices have eased slightly this week, with Singapore trading at USD 720 and Gibraltar at USD 710. However, spreads between key bunkering ports are widening significantly, with some of the smaller regional ports still quoting around USD 1,500 levels. As a result, securing vessels with sufficient bunker onboard has become increasingly important and can materially impact the viability of certain trades.
Fertilizer Industry China – April 16, 2026
❤ Urea: The domestic urea market continued its stable trend yesterday. Urea companies had relatively low inventory levels. The Indian tender for the east coast quoted prices exceeding USD 959 per ton. Although there have been no reports of relaxation in domestic exports, sentiment may receive some support. The domestic urea market is expected to remain strong in the short term, with factory prices close to the guidance price and stable.
❤Melamine: The domestic melamine market operated weakly but steadily yesterday. Companies and traders continued to prioritize discounting and selling their products. Short-term spot market resources were abundant, and most companies had demand for orders. However, there were no signs of improvement in the demand side. It is expected that market conditions will remain volatile today.
❤Synthetic Ammonia: The market for synthetic ammonia in the main production regions remained stable with moderate price increases over the past day. Downstream buyers have become increasingly cautious in their high-level purchases. In Central China, the decline in demand for phosphorus-based fertilizers has affected some high-level transactions, which have become more ordinary. Additionally, as some ammonia production facilities are expected to resume operation, the market atmosphere has become more intense. While local supply remains tight, the widening regional price differences have led to the influx of external sources to fill the gap. The market may stabilize at a high level, but there is a possibility of a slight price increase at a lower level. Continuous attention is needed to monitor the recovery of the supply side.
❤Ammonium chloride: The domestic market for ammonium chloride remained stable yesterday. The brief shutdown of some caustic soda and ammonia production facilities had a limited impact on the market. Currently, all enterprises have sufficient inventory ready for shipment. Although the purchasing enthusiasm of downstream compound fertilizer companies has decreased, the caustic soda and ammonia enterprises are strongly inclined to maintain prices due to anticipated tightening of supply, resulting in high-level pricing.
❤Ammonium sulfate: The market for ammonium sulfate saw a steady decline over the past day. Due to limited acceptance of high prices by end-users, bidding activity for coke-grade products has significantly cooled off. However, production plants for hexane-grade products are not under pressure, and Indian standard urea prices remain high. There are still positive market signals. It is expected that the ammonium sulfate market will experience localized downward adjustments in the short term.
❤Phosphate Fertilizer: The domestic market for monoammonium phosphate (MAP) saw a strong upward trend yesterday. Factories remain without current quotes or sales. Trade merchants in Hubei charge approximately 4,200 yuan per ton for 55% powder at the factory gate, with scattered high-end quotes also appearing. Although the raw material prices have declined, costs remain high. Coupled with reduced production capacity and recent shutdown plans, supply has decreased, leading to a rise in market prices.
The market atmosphere for diammonium phosphate in China continued to be stagnant yesterday. While the raw material prices had decreased somewhat, the cost pressures persisted. Companies primarily focused on fulfilling pending orders. Demand gradually weakened, and downstream entities maintained only minimal essential purchases. Overall, the trading atmosphere remained subdued, and the market is expected to continue experiencing fluctuations and consolidation in the short term.
❤Phosphate Fertilizer: The recent trend of the domestic phosphate fertilizer market has been stable. The overall availability of potassium chloride remains limited, and trader quotes have remained relatively stable. New deals have shown some hesitation, with short-term trading being the primary approach. Due to higher raw material costs, manufacturers of sulfuric acid fertilizers have maintained stable pricing, although new deals at high prices have been slow to materialize.
❤Compound fertilizers: The market for compound fertilizers in China experienced little volatility yesterday. Current raw material prices are high and stable, providing support for the cost of compound fertilizers. Meanwhile, downstream demand has weakened, making it difficult to sustain further price increases. Most enterprises have fulfilled their earlier orders, and new orders are somewhat stagnant. For the time being, compound fertilizers remain at a high level of consolidation.
## Nitrogen Consulting: Southern U.S. Farmers Hit Hardest
According to foreign media reports, a recent survey by the *American Farm Bureau Federation indicates that as the spring planting season begins, the impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade is rippling across the United States.
### Key Regional Impacts
Farmers in the Southern United States are being hit the hardest by these disruptions:
Only *19% of Southern farmers managed to pre-order their fertilizer.
*78% of these farmers stated they cannot afford the full amount of fertilizer required for their crops.
The inability to afford sufficient fertilizer is a nationwide issue, though the severity varies by region:
*Midwest: 48% of farmers cannot afford enough fertilizer.
*West, Northeast, and South: In these regions, the proportion of farmers unable to buy enough fertilizer is at least 66%.
### Long-term Agricultural Risks
To cope with rising costs and supply issues, farmers are taking the following actions:
*Reducing corn acreage in favor of soybeans.
*Cutting back on agricultural inputs, specifically fertilizer usage.
The American Farm Bureau warns that these adjustments significantly increase the risk of lower crop yields and a decrease in total production*. These risks are currently accumulating most heavily in the Southern, Northeastern, and Western regions of the country.
Morning Phil, these are the levels of ferts on board vessels we are hearing traped in the gulf atm:
Urea – 1m+
Sulphur – 650k+
DAP – 175k+
MAP – 125k+
Combined Phosphates – 50k+
In the coming period, my collaboration with Comcereal Vrancea will end.
For 12 years, I have spent beautiful moments within this company, to which I thank for the trust given.
Recently, I participated as a speaker at the 4th Annual International Conference, "Fertilizers 2026: Turkey and the Black Sea Region", which took place in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 31 to April 2, 2026. I thank the @WorldFertilizerMarket team who traveled 24 hours to organize this conference and ensure that it takes place in perfect conditions.
If we talk about fertilizers,
Romanian fertilizers are in line with fertilizers in Europe, very low demand and very high prices.
Here is some information about 2025:
The year 2025 ended with a value of 770 million euros of fertilizers imported into Romania.
The year 2026 began with a decrease in fertilizer imports, following the record imports in December. We are talking here about only 123,000 tons of fertilizers imported through the Port of Constanta from the beginning of the year to mid-March, with a value of approximately 50 million euros. Of the fertilizers imported until mid-March, 90,000 tons were only nitrogen-based fertilizers.
The beginning of 2026 is not even remotely comparable to that of 2025, since 678,000 tons of fertilizers were imported into Romania through the Port of Constanta in the same period of the previous year.
In December, over 700,000 tons of fertilizers entered Romania through the Port of Constanta, of which approximately 540,000 tons were nitrate-based fertilizers and 170,000 tons were phosphate-based fertilizers. Even though not all of the 700,000 tons that entered Romania through the Port of Constanta in December remained for consumption in Romania – they were shipped to Ukraine, Moldova and Hungary – in my opinion, approximately 35% of the fertilizers that entered Romania in December were exported.
December 2025 was a record month for fertilizers entering Romania through the Port of Constanta, and Constanta was certainly not the only port where such quantities were reached.
LONDON (ICIS)–IPL has issued counters up to L5 on the east coast of India and up to L10 on the west coast, at $959/tonne CFR and $935/tonne CFR respectively, in its urea import tender.
It has sought clarity on the origin of each cargo for quantity finalization, with origins to be grouped into those within the Strait of Hormuz or from all other origins. Acceptance deadline is 2PM local time on 17 April.
Any decision on accepting or rejecting quantities will be taken by the DOF.