In early 2017 the growth in the price of urea continued due to high seasonal demand. In February 2017, the prices reached $ 260 USA FOB Baltic. Against this backdrop, capacity utilisation in China began to grow again and reached 60% from 50% at the beginning of the year. As a result, increased export volumes from the country. This factor together with the active purchases for the spring planting season led to lower price to $ 210. USA FOB Baltic in April.

It is worth noting that the price of coal, the main raw material for urea production in China remains high, making the most urea producers in the country unprofitable at the current price level. As a result, we expect to see a decline in capacity utilization in China in the coming months that will support urea prices above $ 200. USA FOB China, explain in "Akron".

Prices on premium nitrogen products – ammonia, ammonium nitrate and UAN in the first quarter of 2017 also grew. This was facilitated by strong seasonal demand and the positive dynamics of prices on the basic product – the urea. Award of ammonium nitrate remains high. At the same time, the CAS award remains under pressure due to launch in the United States new capacity and increase production.

NPK prices in the first quarter of 2017 moved to recovery after declining throughout 2016. This contributed to the positive dynamics of prices on basic products and strong seasonal demand. Of premium to the basket of products stored.

Photo: gazon-spb.ru