In January 2026, Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) CFR Los Angeles prices advancing 1.35% from the month-start. Buyers in the export business rushed to book shipments ahead of the spring fertilizer season and a scheduled March review of U.S. duties on Moroccan and Russian phosphate salts, adding precautionary risk coverage. Construction-grade demand made slight improvement, supported by ongoing federal infrastructure projects requiring flame-retardant additives. Although Shanghai–Los Angeles container freight for a twenty-foot box fell about 29.45% month-on-month, tight East Asian export allocations kept offer prices firm. The stable U.S. dollar also minimized any currency effect on landed costs. Overall, the market showed measured strength driven by seasonal pre-buying and sustained infrastructure-related offtake of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP).
US Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) (CFR Los Angeles) spot values rose 1.35% in January 2026, reflecting a market that was largely driven by front-loaded buying and firmer landed offers. Early January saw export buyers rush to secure cargoes ahead of the spring fertilizer season and an upcoming March duty review, which set the tone for tighter seller positioning at the West Coast. Early mid-month flows were supplied mainly by imports as producers in China and Europe channeled volumes into North America, while baseline availability of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) remained steady through late January. Overall, the blend of seasonal buying and firmer freight pushed spot quotations modestly higher, according to ChemAnalyst data.
Demand was strongest in agriculture, where distributors in the Midwest replenished stocks for fertilizer blending and spring planting supplies; this agricultural pull was a primary support to Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) offtake. In contrast, residential construction remained a drag on demand as affordability headwinds and higher borrowing costs restrained housing-related purchases. The construction segment (commercial and infrastructure), which uses construction-grade Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) for flame retardant additives, showed moderate improvement driven by federal infrastructure projects and ongoing promotions. Similarly, flame retardant and coatings applications supported moderate demand as formulators stepped up procurement for plastics and coatings. These sector dynamics, per ChemAnalyst analysis, produced a clear split: agriculture and export trading were supportive, while residential construction reduced upside potential for Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP).
Supply dynamics in January were influenced more by logistics than by upstream plant outages. United States availability leaned on foreign production, with China and Europe supplying much of the month’s cargoes, which eased domestic production pressure of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP). However, a sharp rise in ocean freight tightened effective landed supply; Shanghai–Los Angeles container freight climbed roughly 29% in January, firming CFR quotations and prompting sellers to present firmer offers. Import cargoes continued to arrive regularly and there were no significant port congestions or major production shutdowns reported, so baseline stocks at West Coast terminals held steady. Additionally, a stable U.S. dollar minimized currency-driven distortions to landed costs, allowing freight moves to play a larger role in price direction of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP).
Looking ahead, the near-term outlook is mixed. Per ChemAnalyst analysis, projected month-on-month movements show a modest dip in February followed by a potential uptick in March as spring agricultural preparation and downstream demand for flame-retardant formulations of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP) could lift procurement; subsequent months show alternating small declines and stabilization through July. Key drivers will include ocean freight conditions, the pace of spring buying, and any developments around the March duty review on phosphate salts, any adverse ruling of which could quickly re-energize upward pressure on Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP). Our analysts note that this outlook is based on current market trends and remains subject to market conditions, particularly freight and policy outcomes that influence landed supply and seller offers of Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP).
