Fertilizer prices move higher again at the Gulf, but buyers resist.Anhydrous prices at the Gulf shot sharply higher last week, with new trades $175 a ton higher as prices matched those on international markets including freight. However, the $845 price was indicative of a market where buyers are starting to balk. Prices for some fertilizers actually dropped a bit as buyers wonder if falling energy prices and easing commodity prices could finally begin to dent demand.
Certainly the cost of natural gas, the feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, is a relative bargain. Futures prices dropped sharply this week after Hurricane Gustav appeared to do little damage to platforms and pipelines. Ammonia plants near the Gulf could be another story, however, as the power grid in the region was knocked off and has been slow to return.
Natural gas futures tested $7 this week and could stay weak following Thursday’s inventory report. The government reported gas in storage was up 90 billion cubic feet ahead of Gustav; traders expected an increase of 88 bcf.
May 01, 08 453 605 482 1727
May 08, 08 438 625 485 1727
May 15, 08 429 643 489 1727
May 22, 08 No prices
May 29, 08 434 648 421 1727
Jun 05, 08 445 625 420 1727
Jun 12, 08 453 625 430 1727
Jun 19, 08 510 618 455 1727
Jun 26, 08 525 634 461 1727
Jul 03, 08 545 683 462 1727
Jul 10, 08 545 727 460 1727
Jul 17, 08 625 758 464 1727
Jul 24, 08 650 808 519 1727
Jul 31, 08 775 820 516 1727
Aug 07, 08 810 815 543 1727
Aug 14, 08 800 793 523 1727
Aug 21, 08 843 770 532 1727
Aug 28, 08 853 790 530 2268
Sep 04, 08 880 803 519 2268
Watch for back lash to hit pretty soon.
Certainly the cost of natural gas, the feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, is a relative bargain. Futures prices dropped sharply this week after Hurricane Gustav appeared to do little damage to platforms and pipelines. Ammonia plants near the Gulf could be another story, however, as the power grid in the region was knocked off and has been slow to return.
Natural gas futures tested $7 this week and could stay weak following Thursday’s inventory report. The government reported gas in storage was up 90 billion cubic feet ahead of Gustav; traders expected an increase of 88 bcf.
May 01, 08 453 605 482 1727
May 08, 08 438 625 485 1727
May 15, 08 429 643 489 1727
May 22, 08 No prices
May 29, 08 434 648 421 1727
Jun 05, 08 445 625 420 1727
Jun 12, 08 453 625 430 1727
Jun 19, 08 510 618 455 1727
Jun 26, 08 525 634 461 1727
Jul 03, 08 545 683 462 1727
Jul 10, 08 545 727 460 1727
Jul 17, 08 625 758 464 1727
Jul 24, 08 650 808 519 1727
Jul 31, 08 775 820 516 1727
Aug 07, 08 810 815 543 1727
Aug 14, 08 800 793 523 1727
Aug 21, 08 843 770 532 1727
Aug 28, 08 853 790 530 2268
Sep 04, 08 880 803 519 2268
Watch for back lash to hit pretty soon.
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