Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) market in the US posted a rebound in February after a January of soft demand, driven by tepid farm-level buying and import flows. January activity was range-bound as winter arrivals improved on-hand inventories; later in the month, growers delayed spring pre-buy programs and adopted precision-agriculture tactics that reduced per-acre DAP demand. Distributors entered planting with comfortable coverage, keeping spot activity muted. The February–April window remains a watch, but procurement stayed cautious across the corn-belt. Sector dynamics underscored softness: the agriculture sector, particularly row crops, showed wider adoption of variable-rate placement and substitution toward MAP and APS blends, dampening DAP fertilizer application and spring pre-buy volumes. Fertilizer distribution stayed soft but stable, with merchants reporting adequate inventory after subdued fall purchases. Upstream, ample ammonia arrivals and phosphoric acid imports supported plant run-rates, while a Moroccan phosphate-rock cargo eased raw-material tightness. Looking ahead, abundant imports and feedstock buffers imply continued softness with limited upside into planting window.
