Phosphate Fertilizer Weekly: Weakened Cost Support and Dismal Market Purchasing Atmosphere

January 22, 2024
Feidoodoo
4248
Guide
Highlights at a glance
The phosphate fertilizer market shows a trend of stability with slight declines. Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) prices dropped 2.17%–3.54% across grades, driven by weak sales, reduced production (down 4.10% w/w, 12.09% y/y), and low downstream demand due to poor compound fertilizer performance. The industry operating rate fell to 50.28%, remaining below last year’s level. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) prices declined marginally (0.07%–0.32%), supported by steady winter shipment fulfillment, but market sentiment remains weak amid falling trader confidence and procurement hesitation. Despite a weekly dip, DAP production rose 14.88% year-on-year to 264,000 tons, with an operating rate at 54.83%. Port inventories remained flat w/w but declined significantly y/y—MAP down 76.79%, DAP down 11.09%. Both MAP and DAP markets face bearish pressure from high inventory, low grain prices, and cautious buying. Prices are expected to remain stable with minor decreases in the coming week.