Urea market 'very slow' in the run up to Christmas

Calum Findlay, Gleadell’s fertiliser manager, comments on fertiliser markets:

Urea

The market is very slow in the run up to Christmas, with a few bargains out there for willing buyers.

Worldwide AN values have firmed around $10 and Urea $8, these replacement values will filter through to the UK market in the New Year.

Now is the time to book N-Min sampling for January/February, to calculate your nitrogen requirements.

Sulphur

The importance of sulphur in the reduction of grain N in malting barley and the improvement in protein in milling wheat is being further emphasised in research released this week.

Phosphate

The market has gone into hibernation until the New Year. Phosphate has eased slightly and MOP is holding steady at the moment. Worldwide MOP contacts into China & India are still yet to be finalised, it may decrease values by £5-£10/t in the New Year.