North Africa urea prices firm on short covering, fresh demand
Julia Meehan
21-Jun-2018
LONDON (ICIS)–North African urea prices have been firming daily since the start of the week as fresh demand from various locations has emerged.
Egypt was particularly busy having sold tonnes for July and August shipment.
While the destination of the tonnes was not disclosed, market participants speculated that the material was probably short coverings, top-ups on quarterly contact commitments, as well as fresh demand from Argentina.
In the early part of the week, Alexfert sold 10,000 tonne of granular urea at $272.50/tonne FOB (free on board).
Prices then ticked up every day, with the highest Egyptian sale concluded late on 20 June at $283.50/tonne FOB.
Turkey, a major importer of Egyptian urea, is now fully covered for the rest of the year and buyers there are not interested in taking any spot material at current levels.
Because the North African tonnage for some of the business was for smaller lots of 10,000 tonnes, northwest Europe was suggested as a likely destination.
Egypt urea sales | ||
Supplier | Quantity (‘000 tonnes) | Price ($/tonne FOB) |
MOPCO | 20 | 226 July |
MOPCO | 15 | 232 H2 July |
MOPCO | 15 | 242 H2 July |
AlexFert | 15 | 245 July |
AlexFert | 10 | 248 July |
AlexFert | 6 | 235 July |
Abu Qir | 25 | 257 H1 July |
Abu Qir | 25* | 247 H1 July, prilled |
Helwan | 10 | 258 July |
AlexFert | 10 | 272.50 July |
Abu Qir | 25 | 272.50 July |
MOPCO | 15 | 273 July |
MOPCO | 15 | 275 July |
JULY TOTAL | 206 | |
MOPCO | 10 | 280 August |
Abu Qir | 10 | 282 H1 August |
Abu Qir | 10* | 272 H2 August prilled |
MOPCO | 10 | 283.50 August |
AUG TOTAL | 40 |
Indeed, Algerian producer Sorfert confirmed the sale of 10,000-15,000 tonnes of granular urea at $295/tonne FOB Bethioua for late July/early August loading for Europe.
Also in Algeria, AOA Edeola/Bahwan was understood to have sold tonnes to Argentina at $281-283/tonne FOB for August shipment, and was now offering $290/tonne FOB.
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