Urea
Local demand for granular urea is low and international free on board (FOB) prices are softening, bringing the local price down.
Granular urea was assessed lower at A$860-870/t Geelong fca.
Growers across the country will start to sow their summer crops once harvesting is complete for winter crops. The summer crop production is forecast to be 4.5 million tonnes, down 12% from 2024-25, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences’ Australian Crop Report. However, production remains above the 10-year average to 2024-25, helped by a favourable rainfall outlook and good soil moisture availability.
The Australian federal government released its new emission reduction target of 62-70% from 2005 levels by 2036 on 18 September. Along with the target, six plans were released outlining the roadmap for each sector.
Emissions from agriculture are projected to stay level to 2030 and reduce to 62 million tonnes CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2-e) in 2050 from 86 million tonnes CO2-e in 2025.
The Agriculture and Land Sector Plan suggests slow-release fertilisers and nitrification inhibitors but does not outline any incentives or subsidies to encourage the uptake of these premium products.
Phosphates
MAP buying activity is still muted because growers are waiting for international prices to soften.
The DAP assessment softened by $5/t to $805-810/t FOB Townsville.
Australian manufacturer CSBP will start importing ammonium phosphates soon for mixing in its 1,500 t/d granulation plant, according to the company’s 19 September market update. The plant will start operating in October and the final products will be dispatched primarily between January and March 2026 to growers across Western Australia.
Australian phosphate producer PRL Group has officially taken over fertiliser company Centrex and its subsidiary Agriflex, the company said on 11 September. The transaction includes the restarted 635,000 t/yr Ardmore phosphate mine. PRL expects customer shipments from the mine to restart by the end of this year.
Commentary and pricing supplied by Argus Media
Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only.