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July '23 Farmer Fertilizer Focus - Phosphates

By: Josh Linville, Vice President- Fertilizer

Major global phosphate export location price graphs

I will say this now and will say it going forward to eternity:  these are the flat price graphs for each individual location.  Your price where you are is going to be different.  There are logistics.  There is the cost of storage/interest/insurance/etc.  These graphs should not be taken as "it shows the price at $700,  why isn't my price $700".  These graphs should be used to give an appreciation for price movements.

All values are in metric tons and USD currency.

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What everyone wants to know first, what do we think will happen going forward
Global
It has now been 15 months since most global phosphate price points hit near their all-time high values.  Since that point, most values (with the exception of NOLA) have seen prices either sideways or lower.  Given that:
Appears that the downward trajectory will continue in July
However, I want to keep noting this: trends do not last forever.  Eventually, some event will occur that will cause this to bottom out or move higher.  Today, it is really hard to see that reason from my POV but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.  Keep your eyes open and do not miss an opportunity.
North America
North America is a bit more complicated than the global look due to the U.S. import duties on 3 of the biggest phosphate manufacturers in the world.  We ended our spring season VERY empty on inventories which need to be replaced.  Now, if we were normal and didn't have these duties, we could rely on the combination on domestic production and imports to refill warehouses.  No problem.  That just isn't the case today.  There will be imports come but it will be from "non-typical" sources.  With that:
Still bearish on phosphate going into summer but heed the dangers
Lack of imports is only one danger.  Another is demand refusing to step forward and then crashing all at once.  This is similar to this winter where a lot of the market waited until the last minute...and then found that the product wasn't there.
This isn't an attempt to push you to do something.  That isn't my role.  This is my attempt to make sure you have more conversations with your retailer.  Much like this winter, I think more conversations are needed.  Want to wait for lower prices?  That's great but discuss thru local restrictions/issues/fears/etc.
Another thing to consider is just because the outlook is bearish doesn't mean it isn't the right time to buy.  As you will see on the ratio graphs below, we have already set some of the better ratios in the past few weeks.  Phosphate values were higher...but the grain prices were higher still.  You can be right on phosphate going lower $10 - $20 but if corn, for example, drops $0.50, did you come out better?
Should you buy your fall '23 phosphate needs?
Global
At this point, hard to say yes when the trend has been negative for so long.  In addition, it is hard to see what is going to turn it around.  Global buyers seem to be getting what they want/need on a timely basis at lower values so why buck the trend?
Until the day comes that it gets hard to find product, hard to sway from our POV.
North America
Overall no...but be weary of where you reside as well as the whole picture.
Again, as stated above, just because phosphate values drop does not mean you have won.  Not if grain prices fall further.  
My bigger worry for those of you further inland is that global prices are still negative and we ended spring empty.  If the farmer base doesn't buy, I feel like retailers are going to remain reluctant to step in for purchases.  They cannot take that risk anymore than you.  If retailers are not willing to buy, how willing are distributors going to be to put product in place?  I'm not guaranteeing a fall inventory shortfall 4 months before fall season.  Merely trying to point out something that worries me.
Overall, I'm bearish but remain cautious, alert and keep talking with your retailer.  
CME Futures settlement indications

While the fertilizer futures market is far from as liquid as its grain counterparts, it is still active and gives us an insight into what the market is thinking.

Please note that the values below can and will change daily.  This is merely a look at where they are as of writing:

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general global dap/map information
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What has happened in the last 30 days?
N.A. cost of production falls once again
From our perspective, we continue to view N.A. phosphate production as one of the higher, if not highest, costs in the world.  While phosphate nor any other fertilizer market operates on a production cost plus model, it is important to watch these economics as it represents a pretty firm price floor.  Not always, but a lot of the time.
That is why the announcement that the July Tampa NH3 price falling a further $55 from June was a big deal.  NH3 and sulfur represent 2 of the largest variable cost inputs for phosphate production.  Sulfur is set on a quarterly basis and as of today, we do not know Q3.  We do know July NH3.  With it being lower, it drops the cost approximately $20.
With the cost now firmly sub $300 and NOLA DAP continuing to hover around $450, it does raise some bearish questions, especially with corn down hard like it has been.
Again, this does not guarantee prices will fall.  
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NOLA DAP moves to the world premium spot following first real summer fill shot
With corn prices rallying and the 4th of July weekend coming up, distributors took little time to take advantage and push a phosphate fill.
One one had, the push was needed.  Our models are currently showing very low ending stockpiles of phosphate across U.S. / N.A.  That alone takes a lot of work to catch up from.  However, when combined with the fact that duties remain in place against Russia/Morocco/China, it gets harder.  Why are they important?  Take a glance at the top exporter list above!
However, that push and resulting demand has helped NOLA DAP become the highest cost phosphate in the world.  With 4 months remaining between today and fall application, this point just hangs on me.  It doesn't guarantee a thing...but it makes me nervous as to where values will go...
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India/Brazil still ahead of import schedule...
As we have been saying for a little while, India and Brazil have had little to no problems finding phosphate to purchase with values falling.  This remains concerning from the point that if they are this far ahead, can they or will they slow down their purchases?
Right now, even with their robust demand, world values continue to fall.  If one or both were to step back with the intention of "taking off a few weeks/month or two" and the world loses that demand, hard to see where values would hold.  
Fortunately for market bulls/manufacturers, this has not been the case and both countries continue to pile it in.  
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Is China making their comeback?
For those new to the scene, Chinese phosphate exports had a bit of a disappearing act for a while.  During the fall of 2021, global phosphate values were skyrocketing and frankly, getting hard to find.  The Chinese regime decided that they needed to insulate their farmers from world factors.  In order to do that, they effectively banned exports from happening in order to make sure there were enough tons available for their farmers at lower than world prices.
Agree or disagree with their approach...it worked.  Domestic values fell and there were more than enough tons to go around internally.
The loss of the world's largest producer and exporter of DAP/MAP helped push global prices higher.
Recently, with global values much lower and no longer a fear of inventory shortages, the government started to rescind those restrictions but a few remained nervous about how quickly they would return.  While a single month is hardly enough to definitively call it over, May was promising.  Not only did total exports improve, but it was also much closer to the 3-year average.
A lot of attention needs to remain on this as it will go a long way in determining price direction.
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Where are current values in relation to the past
NOLA/New Orleans, Louisiana DAP price comparison
Number 5 global exporter in 2022
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Price comparisons

  • Vs 30 days ago - unchanged vs last month
  • Vs 90 days ago --25% or approximately $150 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -28% or approximately $180 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -40% or approximately $315 lower

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U.S. Midwest Average (using multiple points across Midwest) price comparison

  • Vs 30 days ago - -18% or approximately $116 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -16% or approximately $106 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -20% or approximately $133 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -33% or approximately $269 lower

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U.S. Northern Plains Average price comparison

  • Vs 30 days ago - -24% or approximately $159 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -25% or approximately $163 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -27% or approximately $184 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -39% or approximately $320 lower

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U.S. Southern Plains Average price comparison

  • Vs 30 days ago - -23% or approximately $156 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -25% or approximately $169 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -24% or approximately $166 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -37% or approximately $300 lower

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Morocco DAP price comparison

Number 1 global exporter in 2022

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Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -12% or approximately $60 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -26% or approximately $160 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -38% or approximately $275 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago --56% or approximately $573 lower

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Black Sea DAP price comparison

Number 3 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021

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Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $57 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -22% or approximately $123 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -31% or approximately $202 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -48% or approximately $403 lower

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India DAP price comparison

Number 1 global importer in 2022

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Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -8% or approximately $41 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -22% or approximately $126 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -35% or approximately $240 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -51% or approximately $469 lower

image 74622

China DAP price comparison

Number 2 global exporter in 2021

image 73045

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -8% or approximately $40 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -24% or approximately $138 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -36% or approximately $245 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -54% or approximately $518 lower

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Saudi Arabia DAP price comparison

Number 4 global exporter in 2021

image 73046

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -6% or approximately $30 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -20% or approximately $115 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -33% or approximately $225 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -52% or approximately $500 lower

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Brazil DAP price comparison

Number 2 global importer in 2021

image 73048

Price comparisons

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $55 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -28% or approximately $170 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -33% or approximately $213 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -57 or approximately $575 lower

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Bull/Bear Factors
Because no market is ever guaranteed to go higher/lower, we try to consider the factors that can sway values so that we are able to act when they occur rather than react.
Bullish Factors
  • Another global production or export hiccup – alright, you got me.  I'm already stretching for bull factors.  Gives pretty good insight into my POV.  However, given the last 2 - 3 years, it needs to stay relevant.  Prices have been down for a while as the world returns to normal...but what if it went back to not being normal again?  Russia is still in the Ukraine.  I wouldn't say China/Russia vs Western Powers relationships are strong today.  Still plenty of global tension...
  • Delayed buying and stressed logistics – this is probably something to talk more about in coming months but if buyers as a whole decide to wait and then all enter the market at once, that tidal wave will support price ideas.  Similar to what has bee seen in the last week or two in N.A.  Decent round of demand has caused NOLA DAP prices to become the highest in the world.  May be short lived...but it happens.
  • ...I still do not have a 3rd –  sorry, still struggling with it!!!
Bearish Factors
  • Negative global price pattern still in effect – outside of NOLA DAP, global values have been largely lower since March/April 2022.  If that isn't a trend, I'm not sure what is.  Really hard to argue a trend that has been in place for that long.
  • Two of the biggest global buyers (India/Brazil) still ahead on imports – we continue to see India and Brazil, global phosphate importers number 1 and 2 globally, comfortably ahead on imports.  If either or both were to decide that they are ok and can take a break for a month or two...watch out.
  • Grain prices down = buyers holding off – corn farmers know this one all too well as the last several trade days have not been a fun ride.  When corn prices were skyrocketing, phosphate prices suddenly looked rather attractive.  Now with prices falling, it's like the lights have been turned on at the bar.  Looks a little different!!!  If corn prices stay down/go lower, it will look worse and worse causing buyers to hold off...and there is a lot of summer ahead to weigh on prices.
Where are the current phosphate/grain ratio values today?

We believe that only looking at the flat price of either grains or fertilizer can be misleading:

  • Only selling grain can hurt you if fertilizer prices rise substantially
  • Only buying fertilizer can hurt you if grain prices fall

We look at the ratio "value" to get a better indication of where we are or how many bushels of X does it take to pay for 1 ton of fertilizer.

Would you rather:

  • Spend 150 bushels to pay for 1 ton of DAP
  • Spend 80 bushels to pay for 1 ton of DAP

When we compare the current ratio value against recent years, we start to see if we are high or low.

YOUR VALUES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT

This graph looks at the NOLA DAP price vs the flat grain price. There are no logistics on either product. Your location will look different due to fertilizer logistical costs, grain basis, etc.

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Josh Linville’s focal points
  • Global supplies are getting back to normal - as the Chinese government has been lifting export restrictions on phosphate, it means the world is one step closer to normal.  At this point, the only holdover event from the last 3-years remains U.S. import duties on China/Russia/Morocco.  From my quick glance, everything else is back to the way it was.  The longer we are in "normal" territory, the closer to "normal" pricing we get.  Still some catch up to do first.
  • North American buyers need to keep logistics in mind after big spring - prices are sliding and we all want the biggest piece of that pie.  There is nothing wrong with that approach.  However, just like this spring, keep logistics in mind as well.  North America is still going to struggle a bit, I believe.  Low river levels.  Low ending inventories on phosphate/potash/urea. High barge freight rates.  Sometimes tough truck/rail.  Yes, there is a full 4 months until November gets here but that will come quickly and there is a lot of work.  The more the market waits, the more pressure on the logistics.
  • Prices are down big compared to last summer...but keep it in context - a big talking point is going to be "look at now prices vs last summer".  They are absolutely correct.  We are down significantly.  However, that can be misleading.  Last summer was still some of the highest values ever seen in the history of phosphate so most comparisons are going to look great.  The better comparison is against your grains.  Flat prices can mislead but if that value is there, there is no question.  I'm not saying to buy or not buy.  I'm just saying do not let emotion pull the purchase trigger.

All data was sourced from StoneX unless otherwise noted.

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