For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
The disruption in the supply chain and high freight charges owing to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine increased the prices of Bulk nitrogen in the American market. As the sowing season is usually around the end of April or the beginning of May, farmers tend to stock the downstream fertilizers during the first quarter of the year especially in America where the cultivation is comparatively done on a large scale. Bulk Nitrogen prices in the USA increased by nearly 2% in the USA. The Chinese government’s decision to ban the exports of fertilizers to meet the needs of its domestic market also aided the upward trend of Bulk Nitrogen in the American market during Q1 of 2022.
Asia Pacific
Bulk nitrogen prices soared in the Chinese market during the first quarter of 2022 as there were several production halts on account of Winter Olympics held in Beijing. The rise in upstream natural gas and fuel prices worsened the situation of Nitrogen prices. Other Asian market also saw a surge in Nitrogen prices as China banned the exports of downstream fertilizers to meet the growing demand of its domestic market. The Indian market witnessed a hike in demand of bulk nitrogen due to the approaching of sowing season for Zaid crops (summer crops). In India prices rose due to the lack of supply on fertilizers from China. In India Bulk Nitrogen prices were assessed at USD 197/MT in March.
Europe
European market witnessed a huge hike in prices of Bulk Nitrogen due to the high demand from the downstream fertilizer industry. Especially nitrogen-based fertilizer remained in high demand as sowing season of crops like wheat, corn is approaching, and farmers tend to stock on fertilizers. Since natural gas plays a vital role in production of fertilizer, high prices of natural gas due to bans on imports of Russian oil and gas act as an opposition for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine therefore prices of Bulk Nitrogen values witness uptrend. Many South American countries depend on European exports for fertilizers, and this further pressurized the demand for Nitrogen and contributed to the upward trend of Bulk Nitrogen prices by nearly 3% in Europe during Q1 of 2022.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
The pricing trend for Bulk Nitrogen depicted an upsurge in the US domestic market during the fourth quarter of 2021, backed by the high demand from fertilizer sector. The prices for the bulk nitrogen were evaluated at USD 480/MT FOB Illinois in December ending. The demand for fertilizers went high worldwide along with its prices owing to the rise in prices of natural gas and fuel. Furthermore, corn, wheat, and soybean which are among the major fertilizer requiring crops are largely produced by the US. Consequently, resulting in even more demand for the product. Moreover, disruption in supply chain and distribution along with a hike in shipping charges were among the major factors contributing to a rise in the prices of Bulk Nitrogen.
Asia
The prices for bulk nitrogen projected upwards in the Asian market during the fourth quarter of 2021. The pricing trend was higher in the Chinese market owing to the high demand for nitrogen-based fertilizer. In addition, the supply of fertilizers was not corresponding with the demand due to a surge in natural gas price and fuel, halting energy-intensive processes and disrupting supply chains. Likewise, the bulk Nitrogen prices were soaring in the Indian market as well. The reason for the same was the high demand for fertilizers due to the ongoing rabi season or sowing season for winter crops. Another reason for the surging demand and prices of fertilizers was not getting enough supply owing to high natural gas prices and China imposed a ban on exporting fertilizers. Additionally, another factor impacting prices of bulk nitrogen is high demand due to its usage as a refrigerant in ongoing vaccination drives in Asian countries.
Europe
European market witnessed a hike in the prices of Bulk nitrogen in the fourth quarter of the year 2021 due to the intensified downstream demand from the fertilizer producing industries. This surge in demand for fertilizers was caused due to the ongoing season for sowing winter crops. Supply chain disruptions and increased shipping charges mutually halted the supply and eventually enhanced the demand for fertilizers. The demand for liquid nitrogen was further augmented due to continuing vaccination drive as liquified nitrogen is used as a refrigerant for cryopreservation of Covid-19 vaccines.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In North America, Bulk Nitrogen market experienced an upward trajectory backed by the firm demand from several downstream segments during the third quarter. In the US, Bulk Nitrogen prices witnessed an upsurge due to its reduced availability, as a repercussion of Ida hurricane in August end. The situation consequently led to the disrupted production and supply across the region. Moreover, consistent rise in the energy prices in the international market further exerted pressure on the Bulk Nitrogen market and influenced its pricing trend throughout the quarter.
Asia:
In Q3 of 2021, Bulk Nitrogen market outlook remained positive in Asia bolstered by the surge in demand from the pharmaceutical and food & beverages industries. In India, prices of Liquid Nitrogen witnessed an upward trend supported by the procurement of the product in higher volumes by the local traders due to the firm demand. Moreover, logistic issues and expensive transportation also contributed to the inflation in the prices of Bulk Nitrogen in the regional market. Besides, traders were heard transferring the cost pressure to downstream consumers to safeguard their profit margins. Hence, Ex-Taloja Bulk Nitrogen prices were assessed at USD 189.09 per MT in July.
Europe:
In Europe, Bulk Nitrogen prices attained tremendous gains supported by low inventory levels amidst firm demand. Moreover, pressured stocks amplified the need for Nitrogen fertilizers globally that kept that Nitrogen market under pressure in this timeframe. In addition, Russia, announced to place export quotas on urea and nitrates, which further stressed global Nitrogen sentiments in the European region. Besides, soaring demand for Nitrogen as a refrigerant kept its market fundamentals in upward trajectory in the concerned timeframe.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
Nitrogen prices in North America climbed effectively during this quarter. Initially prices of Nitrogen remained high, due to regional shortage after the freezing fallout experienced in February. Later, further improvement in demand from the downstream fertilizers sector led to improvement in the production activities. As the supply was still low, increase in demand widened the demand and supply gap and made Nitrogen prices to rise effectively throughout the quarter. In the meantime, global demand for Nitrogen increased respectively, where the overall supply remained tight that induced buoyancy in its prices across global market.
Asia
In the Asian market, prices of Nitrogen showcased mixed sentiments, where the demand from downstream fertilizers segment remained consistent in China and Japan but remained dull in India. In the Indian market, prices of Nitrogen decreased effectively during May following the fall in demand due to unprecedented surge in COVID cases in the country. Several industrial gas manufacturers diverted their Nitrogen manufacturing towards Oxygen, as the country faced severe shortage of medical Oxygen. Under the movement restrictions in the country, demand from downstream sectors slumped, which later improved during the quarter ending. Eventually, prices of Nitrogen in India bounced back and reached USD 480.5/MT in the final week of June.
Europe
Surge in regional demand from downstream Ammonia based fertilizers, led to a plausible rise in price of upstream Nitrogen within the quarter. This rise was driven by firm offtakes from agrochemicals sectors amidst the supply shortage across the region. During April, imports of several products reduced from USA which pressured domestic manufacturers to enhance their production to satisfy the overall demand. The move eventually led to an increase in demand and prices for Nitrogen in the regional market.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
Asia
During Q1 2021, Asia region sustained its fair recovery in industrial activities with respect to the prior quarter. Improved production and increased availability halted the price acceleration of Bulk Nitrogen and it thus experienced a price downfall across the region. The demand from metal fabrications remained low in several APAC countries, which led to fall in demand for Nitrogen in metal fabrication sector. Similarly, in India, the automotive sector was bearing losses during Q1 2021, although it showed marginal improvement during January. Due to rapid rise in COVID 19 cases and partial lockdowns implements in various states of India, the demand for bulk Nitrogen failed to sustain its pace. Likewise, in Chinese market, metal fabrication sector and automotive sector remained low and hence the ample availability reduced the prices of Bulk Nitrogen.
North America
Despite of numerous efforts to regain the industrial activities, North America region faced astonishing downfall in the industrial sector during Q1 2021. Metal fabrication sector remained on low pace, due to tumbling demand from downstream sector like automobiles and constructions in various parts of North America region. Texas winter storm also halted the various plant activities across the region which reduced the demand for carrier gases and Nitrogen from agrochemical sector.
Europe
During Q1 2021, sales from metal manufacturing and agrochemicals sectors remained stable with respect to Q4 2020. Although, vaccination drives across the region enhanced the market sentiments, but it was not enough to lay a significant impact upon the market dynamics. However, shortage of shipping containers during Q1 and Suez Canal blockage during March ending, increased the prices of Nitrogen and its derivative products.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
During Q4 2020, the overall recovery of Asia was deemed as good, and industries were getting a boost to come on track again. Air Liquide, one of the leading bulk gas suppliers across the world, revealed that they have experienced maximum growth in sales from China of around 10% due to the recovery observed in the metal fabrication sector and automotive in Q4. In addition, 10% growth was witnessed in carrier gases and advance materials sector which positively impacted the demand for Nitrogen. Despite prospects for pick-up in demand from the country’s steel industry, liquid Nitrogen pricing in India was averaged around USD 535 per tonne during the quarter ending December 2020.
North America
Despite of experiencing steady growth in various industrial activities, the sales to the industrial sectors like metal fabrication and automotive remained low. However, in comparison to the previous year the position of metal manufacturing industry in the region was seemed to improve. With gradual revival in the metal fabrication industry towards the end of Q4, demand for bulk Nitrogen from gas blanketing and laser cutting segments also improved. Nucor, a leading steel manufacturer in USA revealed that their overall demand for bulk gases increased by around 7% from Q3 to Q4, thereby indicating towards a positive demand for industrial Nitrogen.
Europe
Sales of metal manufacturing & fabrication materials showed an appreciable revival during Q4 2020, which caused a direct impact on the demand of Nitrogen in Europe. Air Liquide experienced a strong demand for liquid gases from the eastern European region, specially from Poland and Russia. Thus, in comparison to Q4 2019, the overall prices of Liquid Nitrogen surged by 1.7 per cent in the same period this year.
