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June '23 Farmer Fertilizer Focus - Phosphates

By: Josh Linville, Vice President- Fertilizer

June '23 PHOSPHATES
 
Josh Linville
Vice President - Fertilizer
Major global phosphate export location price graphs

The below graph has prices listed in USD.  All prices are FOB or priced at their origin.

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 thru 2022.

image 72570
 
What everyone wants to know first, what do we think will happen going forward
Global
It is REALLY hard to look at that graph above and try to argue with the trend...
Our outlook on phosphate remains bearish.
We continue to see some of the world's largest buyers ahead on their imports.  While values are still extremely low vs the last 1+ year, they are still historically high.  Chinese exports are returning.
It is just hard to look at phosphate today and be bullish.
North America
Similar to the above:
Our outlook on North American phosphate remains bearish.
Not going to lie, the price popping up toward the tail end of spring was a surprise.  Seeing inland values rise/supplies get extremely tight was not that big a surprise.
Still, longer term, while grain values are still high the relationship is still "out of whack".  The global outlook remains bearish which means NOLA prices should move along with them.  There are several months between now and fall application and buyers are going to remember the last 12 months in that waiting longer meant lower values available.
If the last 3 years are any indication, anything can happen and we need to stay on our toes.  However, lot of the stars continue to line up with lower values coming.
Should you buy your fall '23 phosphate needs?
Global
A lot of today's signs are signaling lower prices ahead.
The world's largest producer and exporter of DAP/MAP, China, is returning.  Two of the biggest buyers in the world, India and Brazil, are ahead on their imports which could mean lower demand coming.  While prices have come down tremendously from their high's, values are still high vs historical norms.
I could keep going but I think you get the idea.
North America
As stated above, there are a lot of reasons to believe that global phosphate values could continue to decline.  Due to that:
Continue to see many more bearish phosphate factors than bullish.
The biggest thing going for phosphate manufacturers/suppliers is the big spring run which emptied warehouses across North America.  Other than that, there is a list of reasons we could/should see phosphate values lower in the coming weeks/months.
Do not read that and think "I'll just check out for a while".  Usually when this many things line up, something happens to completely turn the market on its head.  There will be opportunities that may only be there a short time.  Better to stay connected and ready to pounce if those opportunities pop up.
general global dap/map information
image 59247
What has happened in the last 30 days?
U.S. counter vailing duty rates are changed
During the summer of 2020, a phosphate manufacturing company filed paperwork to impose duties on phosphate produced and imported from Morocco and Russia.  Those duties were eventually approved which helped to block those tons from coming to the U.S. 
There was a loud uproar from retailers/farmers/representing organizations/etc. when the case was filed but ultimately failed.  To this day, battles have continued in hopes that the duties be overturned and those imports be allowed to resume with no barriers to entry.
Recently, the duty rates were looked at and surprisingly changed a couple.  One for a little bit better for buyers...one much worse:
  • Moroccan produced tonnage had been subject to a 19.97% duty rate.  That rate was lowered to 14.49%.
  • Russian producer Phosagro, which had the lowest duty rate at the conclusion of the filing, saw its rate balloon over 50%.

For Morocco, who has steadily become a larger player in the world of phosphate, the 5% drop will make it easier/cheaper to send tonnage to the U.S (which will also help Canada).  However, if global demand returns, Morocco very well may look at the U.S. as a last ditch destination.  

For Phosagro, the U.S. may as well be the moon for destinations.  Their new duty rate was set high enough that they can go anywhere around the world before the U.S. makes sense.

Unfortunately, this was not the end of all duty rates as some had hoped.  Barriers to import entry remain.  The battle will likely wage on.

Florida June '23 production costs drop slightly
Please do not read this next statement as snarky or crappy.  Not the intention but I believe it is a very important point:
Just because the cost of production drops DOES NOT mean the market value falls.
That would be similar to an elevator saying "we know your cost of producing X dropped some so we are going to pay you less for that".  Seems like elevators and the market in general have plenty of other reasons to not pay you for your crop!
That aside, the production cost of phosphate fell once again for June.  Sulfur values remained the same (are only changed quarterly) but we saw Tampa NH3 values fall a further $40 from May.  While this does not mean a dollar for dollar change in the general phosphate marketplace, it does mean that the price floor fell.
The lower the price of production, the lower the price CAN drop before manufacturers start taking steps to slow/stop their production rates.   
image-20230605113639-1
India/Brazil ahead of normal import paces
As the world's two largest buyers of DAP/MAP, it makes sense that we should watch their import flows for signs of increased/decreased demand in the coming months.
Note:  just because they are ahead of the 3-year average pace does not mean their demand will rise or fall.  It is merely another indication.
That note aside, it is hard to look at both countries import pace and feel good about coming demand.  No doubt both will continue to need to make purchases to cover upcoming demand but how far ahead they are of normal does make it seem that they can either delay those purchases (putting more pressure on suppliers) or reduce the tonnage they would normally buy (leaving suppliers holding more product than they like).
Now, either or both countries could be ahead of schedule due to higher domestic demand or an attempt to rebuild inventories but first glance combined with the global price trend being lower makes it very hard to see these in a positive/bullish light.
image 72611image 72612
Chinese exports resuming/global values falling
The phosphate boogeyman, China, appears to be back.
The return of the world's largest producer and exporter of DAP/MAP is not doing any favors for bullish attitudes.  
The return of Chinese exports have certainly lent bearishness to an already bearish marketplace.  We are now seeing/hearing reports of manufacturing locations around the world being willing to sell product sub $500.  It also seems that every new report of new business continues to be met with lower values.
I do not want to say that it will be a race to the bottom.  Global manufacturers have certainly learned to appreciate higher prices/margins.  However, the market will have the last say and so far the return of China is not helping to set a price floor out there.
Where are current values in relation to the past
NOLA/New Orleans, Louisiana DAP price comparison
Number 5 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021
Top 5 export destinations (2.6MMT exported in 2021)
  1. Canada (63%)
  2. Brazil (11%)
  3. Colombia (7%)
  4. Mexico (6%)
  5. Australia (5%)

Price comparisons

  • Vs 30 days ago - -30% or approximately $70 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -25% or approximately $150 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -30% or approximately $190 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -40% or approximately $300 lower

image 72571

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

  • Vs 30 days ago - -8% or approximately $53 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -1% or approximately $7 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -15% or approximately $117 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -27% or approximately $237 lower

image 72572

U.S. Northern Plains Average price comparison

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $56 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -6% or approximately $40 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -19% or approximately $150 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -26% or approximately $225 lower

image 72573

U.S. Southern Plains Average price comparison

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $73 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -2% or approximately $16 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -14% or approximately $109 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -24% or approximately $209 lower

image 72574

Morocco DAP price comparison

Number 2 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 export destinations (7M exported in 2021)

  1. Brazil (28%)
  2. India (14%)
  3. Bangladesh (8%)
  4. Argentina (6%)
  5. Nigeria (4%)

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -13% or approximately $25 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -24% or approximately $145 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -28% or approximately $173 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -56% or approximately $650 lower

image 72575

Black Sea DAP price comparison

Number 3 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 export destinations (4MMT exported in 2021)

  1. India (42%)
  2. United States (21%)
  3. Australia (8%)
  4. Brazil (9%)
  5. Kenya (5%)

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -4% or approximately $18 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -20% or approximately $129 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -23% or approximately $146 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -41% or approximately $347 lower

image 72576

India DAP price comparison

Number 2 importer of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 import origins (4.8MMT imported in 2021)

  1. China (39%)
  2. Saudi Arabia (35%)
  3. Morocco (20%)
  4. Jordan (3%)
  5. Russia (2%)

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $46 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -23% or approximately $142 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -34% or approximately $249 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -47% or approximately $437 lower

image 72577

China DAP price comparison

Number 1 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 export destinations (10MMT exported in 2021)

  1. Brazil (19%)
  2. India (19%)
  3. Pakistan (9%)
  4. Bangladesh (7%)
  5. Thailand (6%)

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -11% or approximately $43 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -23% or approximately $143 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -34% or approximately $243 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -52% or approximately $518 lower

image 72578

Saudi Arabia DAP price comparison

Number 3 exporter of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 export destinations (4.1MMT exported in 2021)

  1. India (42%)
  2. United States (21%)
  3. Australia (9%)
  4. Brazil (8%)
  5. Kenya (5%)

Price comparisons:

  • Vs 30 days ago - -13% or approximately $47 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -23% or approximately $144 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -33% or approximately $236 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -54% or approximately $554 lower

image 72579

Brazil DAP price comparison

Number 1 importer of DAP/MAP in 2021

Top 5 import origins (6.15MMT imported in 2021)

  1. China (32%)
  2. Morocco (31%)
  3. Russia (24%)
  4. Saudi Arabia (5%)
  5. United States (5%)

Price comparisons

  • Vs 30 days ago - -18% or approximately $80 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - -28% or approximately $183 lower
  • Vs 6 months ago - -23% or approximately $140 lower
  • Vs 1 year ago - -57% or approximately $608 lower

image 72580

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
  • N.A. spring season emptied the system – if I were working for a manufacturer in a sales role, this would be the first point that I bring up.  The solid spring run emptied warehouses across N.A. Likely to be one of the lower ending inventory years on record.  That means manufacturers know there are a lot of sales opportunities coming if they can be patient.
  • Could see "catch up" demand – while this spring was solid, there should/could be some catch up demand coming.  There have been a couple poor application periods where phosphate demand wasn't there.  If soil levels have been reduced, those eventually need to be "made up".  Could have higher demand coming which would support market values.
  • Grain/phosphate ratios are significantly improved – while I currently hope the ratios get better as it means better buying opportunities for the farm gate, current values are SOLID vs recent years.  There are a lot of reasons for buyers to wait but farmers may look at the relationship today and decide to pull the trigger.  Honestly, with the volatility of the last couple years, I wouldn't blame anyone for doing that.  If that creates a demand wave, it could turn the market around.
Bearish Factors
  • Return of Chinese exports – the Chinese governments allowance of phosphate exports is a huge signal that even they seen global inventories as more than sufficient and global values back to a "normal" and "non-threatening" range.  As the typical largest global exporter of DAP/MAP, their reentering the space creates a lot more supply than was recently available and expected.  
  • General market sentiment is lower – there is a long time between now and fall application.  Interest rates are high.  I purchased early last year and paid the price.  I learned I do not have to apply in the fall but can wait for winter/spring.  Global values continue to fall.  I could keep going but the general point is that there are PLENTY of reasons that buyers can come up with to not purchase today which could/should continue to weigh on price ideas.
  • World's two largest importers are ahead of schedule already – until someone can prove to me otherwise, the fact that Brazil/India are ahead of their average import pace has me extremely nervous that coming demand will be even worse than expected.
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.

 

image 72581
image 72582
image 72584

image 72585image 72586image 72587image 72588image 72589image 72590

Josh Linville’s focal points
  • Chinese export rates - if China returns to full export volumes (or more), it is very hard for me to see price support near term.  Things can obviously change but the full return of the world's largest exporter is rarely a bullish sign.
  • Brazil/India purchase decisions going forward - adding to the Chinese focal point, if we regain the world's largest exporter and at the same time learn that the world's largest buyers decide they can greatly reduce their purchases in the coming months, that is one heck of a bearish one-two punch.
  • How farmers react to summer fill programs - ultimately, it comes down to you.  How do you react to summer values?  Do you decide that prices are low enough to lock in for fall needs?  Do farmers around the world look at falling prices and decide there is no way they are going to try and catch that falling knife?  If demand stays away, that will lean on price ideas.  If demand starts stepping up, it could support price ideas.  It is that simple.

All data was sourced from StoneX unless otherwise noted.

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