For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Ammonium Chloride Spot Price in the U.S. stabilized during Q2 2025, following strong upward momentum in Q1. Prices began easing as seasonal demand cooled and supply-side disruptions diminished
• Extreme winter-related production cuts and logistical bottlenecks that had constrained supply during Q1 were gradually resolved—a shift that helped relax tight inventory conditions
• Upstream ammonia feedstock costs remained high but became less volatile, reducing the production-cost support that had kept prices elevated earlier
• Agricultural restocking activity softened after the spring planting season, especially in key crops such as rice and sorghum, lowering the urgency for bulk procurement
• Oversupply conditions emerged as domestic and international ammonia availability improved, placing additional downward pressure on price levels
Why does the price of Ammonium Chloride change in July 2025 in North America?
• The Ammonium Chloride Spot Price in the U.S. held steady in July 2025, with the Price Index reflecting continuation of conditions seen in June—neither stronger nor weaker on balance.
• Any lingering supply tightness from earlier winter disruptions largely eased, leading to a more balanced market, although feedstock pressures remained moderate.
• Industrial freight and ammonia availability had stabilized versus earlier logistic challenges, reducing volatility in supply costs and moderating pricing support.
• In July, agricultural demand remained muted; farmers and distributors adopted more measured procurement behavior following the spring planting season .
• Overall sentiment remained cautious, with the market awaiting clear signals from other key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and metal processing for a pickup in consumption
APAC
• The Ammonium Chloride Spot Price in Japan fell steadily through Q2 2025, with prices declining from 78 USD/MT in early April to 72 USD/MT by June, reflecting a sustained downward movement in the Price Index.
• Easing supply-demand imbalance and reduced Chinese export prices drove the bearish trend, further supported by subdued domestic procurement in Japan’s agricultural sector.
• Intra-Asia freight rates initially dipped, prompting traders to build inventories at low cost, though a late-month rebound in freight prices added mild pressure on import values.
• Dockworker strikes at Japanese ports disrupted logistics by mid-April, but the impact on pricing remained limited amid muted demand and sufficient inventories.
• Sustainability-driven shifts in Japanese agriculture away from conventional chemical fertilizers continued to weigh on demand, contributing to cautious market sentiment.
Why did the price of Ammonium Chloride change in July 2025 in Asia?
• In July 2025, the Ammonium Chloride Price Index in Japan stabilized after months of decline, as falling supply-side pressure was offset by modest logistical challenges and early signs of restocking activity.
• The Ammonium Chloride Production Cost Trend remained largely unchanged, with Chinese producers maintaining output levels amid low input costs and favorable operating conditions.
• The Ammonium Chloride Demand Outlook showed slight improvement due to limited restocking by distributors ahead of anticipated regulatory changes in Japan, though overall demand remained cautious.
• The Ammonium Chloride Price Forecast points to potential mild upside in Q3 if regulatory uncertainty triggers precautionary procurement or if supply chain bottlenecks persist.
Europe
• The Ammonium Chloride Spot Price in Europe showed mixed movement in Q2 2025, initially declining in April before stabilizing and trending modestly upwards by early June as demand recovery began.
• In early Q2, soft fertilizer and chemical demand, combined with robust local production, led to rising inventories and downward pressure on prices.
• Production rates increased, notably with BASF expanding capacity at Ludwigshafen—this greater output further eased tightness in supply.
• Weather uncertainties and weak early quarter sentiment kept demand cautious, though planting-season restocking in May–June prompted improvement in offtake activity.
• Feedstock related cost pressures from rising ammonia and natural gas prices supported a gradual price rebound in later months
Why does the price of Ammonium Chloride change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In July 2025, the Ammonium Chloride Price Index advanced, driven by incremental recovery in demand from seasonal agricultural restocking and industrial uptake.
• The Ammonium Chloride Production Cost Trend remained elevated due to high feedstock costs—especially ammonia and natural gas—putting a floor under seller pricing.
• The Ammonium Chloride Demand Outlook improved modestly, with buyers initiating replenishment orders after a cautious first half, especially in fertilizer-related segments.
• The Ammonium Chloride Price Forecast suggests further moderate upward potential throughout Q3, particularly if feedstock constraints persist or demand solidifies further.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Ammonium Chloride prices in the USA saw a steady upward trend, driven by tight supply and strong seasonal demand. Despite volatility in Ammonia feedstock costs, prices stayed elevated due to production cuts from extreme winter weather. Force majeure declarations by key producers like OCI Beaumont LLC and CF Industries, along with freight disruptions, limited domestic availability. Agricultural demand also picked up as farmers stockpiled ahead of spring planting, especially for crops such as rice and sorghum.
However, irregular weather patterns, including drought concerns and planting delays, led to cautious buying later in the quarter. On the global front, reduced output from Europe and China, coupled with speculation over potential fertilizer tariffs, added to the market’s uncertainty.
This combination of factors—weather-related supply constraints, logistical hurdles, and shifting agricultural sentiment—shaped a price environment marked by upward pressure and cautious optimism throughout the quarter. The overall market reflected a delicate balance between demand recovery and supply limitations.
APAC
The Asian Ammonium Chloride market witnessed notable volatility during the first quarter of 2025, marked by an initial price decline followed by a recovery and sustained upward trend in subsequent months. At the beginning of the quarter, market prices declined primarily due to improved supply dynamics. Several domestic producers across the region, particularly in China, resumed operations after scheduled maintenance shutdowns, which led to a gradual recovery in production capacities and higher operating rates. As a result, the overall availability of Ammonium Chloride in the market increased substantially. However, this surge in supply coincided with subdued demand from key downstream sectors, especially the fertilizer and chemical industries. The mismatch between rising supply and lagging demand led to inventory accumulation and exerted downward pressure on prices. Towards the latter part of the quarter, market sentiment shifted positively as domestic restocking activity gained momentum. Increased procurement ahead of the spring agricultural season, particularly in China, supported the recovery in demand and contributed to the rebound and stabilization of prices across the region.
Europe
The European Ammonium Chloride market exhibited a mixed pricing trend during the first quarter of 2025, shaped by varying supply-demand dynamics and cost pressures. Prices declined in January, primarily due to weak consumer demand across the region. End-users in the fertilizer and chemical sectors were hesitant to procure large volumes, leading to limited market activity and downward pressure on prices. However, as the quarter progressed, the market witnessed a gradual recovery. By February and March, demand picked up noticeably, supported by restocking efforts in preparation for the spring planting season. This seasonal uptick in agricultural activity significantly boosted domestic consumption. Concurrently, on the supply side, the cost of production rose due to a shortage and elevated prices of feedstock Ammonia, thereby exerting upward pressure on Ammonium Chloride prices. The combination of rising input costs and improving demand fundamentals supported a sustained price increase during the latter part of the quarter. Additionally, growing international demand—particularly from Latin American countries—further strengthened the European market, contributing to the observed price rally.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Ammonium Chloride market demonstrated notable price trends during Q4 2024, reflecting stability in October and November before experiencing a marginal surge in December. The price remained stagnant initially, despite fluctuating feedstock costs for Ammonia and Natural Gas. Subdued seasonal demand from the fertilizer sector contributed to the lack of price movement, with agricultural activities declining as the planting season faded.
However, demand for industrial applications, particularly in mining and explosives, remained steady, supporting market resilience. On the supply side, logistical challenges such as adverse weather, hurricanes, and low Mississippi River water levels constrained production and imports. Persistent bottlenecks, including a labor strike in Canada, further limited supply availability, though effective inventory management mitigated severe shortages.
By December, slight supply tightness coupled with a modest rise in feedstock prices led to a gradual price increase for Ammonium Chloride. Despite consistent industrial demand, purchasing activity for fertilizers remained cautious, with buyers delaying significant commitments in anticipation of more favorable pricing during winter fill and spring prepay periods. Overall, Q4 showcased a balanced interplay of demand and supply, with steady industrial consumption offsetting seasonal agricultural weakness and supply chain constraints.
Asia- Pacific
The Asia-Pacific Ammonium Chloride market showed mixed trends during the review period, shaped by regional supply-demand dynamics, logistical hurdles, and external influences. In Indonesia and China, prices declined despite rising feedstock costs, as stable domestic production and ample inventories ensured market balance. Subdued export demand from key markets, including the Philippines and New Zealand, impacted by adverse weather disrupting agricultural activities, further pressured prices. Further, Logistical challenges in China, including port congestion at Shanghai and Ningbo, alongside heavy rainfall, caused delays in imports and strained regional supply chains. Vessel bunching and extended waiting times exacerbated supply tightness, influencing market dynamics. Excessive rainfall in southern Asia-Pacific raised concerns over crop damage, particularly for sugarcane, oil palm, and fruit crops, while central regions remained stable for paddy irrigation. Manufacturers across the region maintained consistent production rates, effectively managing rising feedstock costs. However, in the Indian market a slight uptick in price was observed owing to restocking of fertilizer supplies amidst the forthcoming Rabi planting season.
Europe
European Ammonium Chloride prices have declined recently due to subdued demand from key sectors like agriculture, compounded by oversupply conditions and logistical challenges. Despite rising Ammonia feedstock costs and supply disruptions such as the shutdown of a Norwegian gas platform, production has been curtailed, but ample inventories continue to exert downward price pressure. In the UK, a significant price surge occurred in December 2024, driven by supply chain disruptions and delays in exports from key European suppliers, while buyer interest remained inconsistent due to fluctuating weather conditions. Demand in both Europe and the UK has been weak, with cautious purchasing behavior from the agricultural sector, exacerbated by uncertainties around the upcoming winter planting season and ongoing logistical issues, such as port congestion. These dynamics highlight a market under strain, where supply outpaces demand, and economic factors, including high input costs and weather unpredictability, shape future price trends.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
The North American Ammonium Chloride market exhibited fluctuating price trends throughout Q3 2024, though it predominantly remained on the lower end. In the early part of the quarter, prices saw a significant decline, primarily driven by subdued demand from the key downstream fertilizer sector
Despite attempts by traders to stimulate prices in anticipation of heightened demand ahead of the upcoming planting season, these efforts did not fully materialize. The region was severely impacted by adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and storms, which disrupted agricultural cycles and restrained demand for Ammonium Chloride fertilizers. Although prices experienced a modest recovery in August 2024, this was largely attributed to supply shortages rather than a resurgence in demand. The hurricanes caused significant production disruptions, limiting the availability of Ammonium Chloride in the market. This supply-side constraint provided some upward pressure on prices.
However, by the latter part of the quarter, prices began to stabilize as the market adjusted to the production setbacks, and demand remained relatively weak in the face of ongoing weather-related challenges.
APAC
In the third quarter of 2024, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced a significant increase in Ammonium Chloride prices, particularly in Japan, which observed the most pronounced price fluctuations. Several critical factors contributed to this upward trend in market prices. Rising feedstock costs, coupled with supply chain disruptions, played a pivotal role in driving prices higher. Additionally, adverse weather conditions further complicated the market dynamics. Both Japan and China faced particularly volatile conditions, characterized by a surge in demand from the domestic fertilizer sector amid disrupted supply chains. The region was significantly impacted by typhoons, which struck various provinces in China and Japan, bringing torrential rains and strong winds. These extreme weather events resulted in widespread destruction, leading to extensive power outages and substantial disruptions to daily life. The adverse conditions strained transportation infrastructure and power supplies, complicating production processes for key industrial sectors, including Ammonium Chloride manufacturing. Despite these challenges, the quarter concluded with Ammonium Chloride prices reaching USD 102 per metric ton, CFR Tokyo. Ongoing disruptions, such as port congestion and trade uncertainties, have further complicated the pricing landscape, creating additional challenges for stakeholders within the industry.
Europe
During Q3, the European Ammonium Chloride market experienced a significant surge, particularly in Russia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This increase in prices was mainly attributed to a shortage of raw materials in the European market. The shortage stemmed from Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, where the critical Sudzha gas transit station is located. Disruption at this key transit point created a ripple effect, impacting European gas supplies and further intensifying the regional shortage of upstream Natural Gas and feedstock Ammonia. The severe scarcity of this essential raw material directly affected Ammonium Chloride production, resulting in reduced output levels and contributing to the rise in Ammonium Chloride prices. Demand for Ammonium Chloride remained moderate, driven by domestic requirements and orders from European importers. However, this demand was largely concentrated among smaller buyers within the region, reflecting a cautious market outlook. Additionally, the market faced further challenges due to fluctuating weather conditions, which impacted demand from the major downstream fertilizer sector. These unpredictable weather patterns made it difficult for farmers to forecast their fertilizer needs, creating a more volatile demand environment.
FAQs
1. Why are Ammonium Chloride prices fluctuating in 2025?
Ammonium Chloride prices are responding to regional imbalances in supply and demand, feedstock cost volatility (especially ammonia), and logistical disruptions. In North America, earlier supply tightness has eased, while Europe is seeing a modest recovery in demand. In APAC, oversupply and weak downstream activity continue to pressure prices downward.
2. Who are the top Ammonium Chloride producers in Europe?
Key producers include BASF, OCI Nitrogen, and Yara International, who are prominent suppliers in the European Ammonium Chloride market, alongside imports from China and Germany.
3. What is the Ammonium Chloride Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
The forecast indicates a neutral to slightly firm trend in Europe and North America due to seasonally stronger demand and sustained feedstock costs. In contrast, APAC may continue to see downward pressure unless regional demand improves.
4. How is the Ammonium Chloride Production Cost Trend impacting global prices?
Rising ammonia and energy costs have added upward pressure on production costs globally. However, muted demand and improved logistics have kept price increases relatively contained in most markets, especially in APAC.
