For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
In the first quarter of 2022, overall market sentiments observed a persistent upward trajectory for Copper Sulphate especially during the second half of the quarter in the North American market. The market price of Copper Sulphate showcased an upward growth on the back of soaring feedstocks and rising energy prices after the tensions erupted in the eastern European region. Moreover, Copper prices soared more than 8% in the first quarter coupled with the bullish trend in the quotations of the feedstock Sulphuric Acid in the USA. Thus, the soaring market price of feedstocks besides supply chain disruption affected the market of Copper Sulphate as the producers will to raise the offered quotations strengthened. Moreover, demand from the downstream agricultural sector was firm, but due to the unavailability of Copper Sulphate, supply-demand gap imbalanced and hampered the market sentiments.
Asia Pacific
In Asia, the Copper Sulphate market price showcased an upward surge since the declining trend of mid-December 2021. The Copper Sulphate has a stagnant demand from the downstream industries in India. Although, despite the inadequate demand from other sectors, the Indian authorities were keen to ensure raw material supplies ahead of the upcoming peak season for Fertilizers. Whereas the resurgence of COVID-19 and strict measures taken by the Chinese authorities to curb the spread caused logistics disturbance across China. During the spring festival holidays, the demand outlook observed significant gains amidst the seasonal peak for fertilizers in China. Despite that, the current market dynamics for Copper Sulphate staggered due to persistent rising prices of sulphur and enforced demand outlook in China. The price of Copper Sulphate (Granular & Crystalline) for Ex-Mumbai settled at USD 2899 per tonne and USD 2868 per tonne.
Europe
In Germany, market players claim that the Copper Sulphate market in Europe showcased an upward growth since the geopolitical tension between Eastern European Nations began. Furthermore, the sanction imposed over Russia amidst its invasion over Europe made the domestic players reluctant to procure the Russian cargoes from the black sea. Additionally, the soaring crude and energy prices forced domestic players to lean toward overseas deliveries. The demand for Copper Sulphate in the agricultural sector remained firm, although the player actively inquires amidst the upcoming peak season. Whereas the rise in prices of feedstocks Copper and Sulphur prevailed the cost support in the quotations of Copper Sulphate. Despite firm demand, rising feedstocks directly impacted the market price of Copper Sulphate.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
The energy transition towards a greener economy uplifted the Copper market in the North American region and kept the market sentiments for Copper Sulphate buoyed in the US domestic market and the supply outlook improved after the production level was restored after the hurricane season. Since the starting of the quarter, the copper market rebounded and provided adequate cost support to the Copper Sulphate owing to supply chain tightness. Whereas the demand outlook remains soared in the US domestic market. As a ripple effect, the US Copper Sulphate prices remained buoyed amidst the strong demand from the downstream agricultural, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Asia Pacific
The Copper Sulphate market in the Asia Pacific region observed a stagger uptrend throughout the fourth quarter of 2021. Whereas the sentiments in the Northeast Asian region soared drastically amidst the dull operational loads in China amidst the power rationing. However, the situation eased in the second half of the quarter. Whereas the resurgence of COVID and divergence of upstream due to energy transition interrupt the demand-supply outlook with a significant margin. As a ripple effect, the Ex-Mumbai discussion for Copper Sulphate granular settled at USD 3022 per tonne, during the quarter ending in December.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the European Copper Sulphate market sentiments remained buoyed amidst the supply-demand imbalance. Whereas the operational loads remained uncertain amidst the ongoing energy crisis in Europe led to constrained supplies of Copper Sulphate in the domestic market. The resurgence of COVID supported the demand outlook in the European domestic market. Therefore, due to the supply-demand imbalance and constant inquiries, the Copper Sulphate quotations remained staggered upwards in the fourth quarter of 2021.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In North America, an exponential rise in the prices of Copper Sulphate was witnessed backed by the robust demand from the end use industries including agriculture and pharmaceuticals. In US, high volatility in copper prices, resulted in the turmoil in Copper Sulphate prices where market participants were observed returning to the market to restock inventories. Lower production rates and hinderance in supply chains as an impact of Ida hurricane that made landfall in the Gulf Coast of the USA at the August end also influenced the prices of Copper Sulphate in this quarter. Hence, prices of Copper Sulphate were assessed at USD 2825-2980 per MT on DDP basis across the US during the quarter.
Asia
In Asia, Copper Sulphate market outlook appeared bullish due to the robust demand and tight fundamentals that kept the prices in the upward trend during Q3 2021. Furthermore, hike in the feedstock values also supported the pricing trend of Copper Sulphate in the region. In India, Copper Sulphate values escalated on the back of the rising global prices amid stable offtakes from the domestic market. Besides, ample enquiries for Copper Sulphate from fungicides sector and rising raw material cost also influenced the pricing trend. Therefore, Copper Sulphate values rose significantly and hovered around USD 2957.38/MT Ex-Hyderabad during September.
Europe
In the European market, Copper Sulphate prices experienced an upward trend during the third quarter of 2021 aided by the global upsurge in the values of feedstock as well as the sturdy demand from the downstream agrochemicals manufacturers. Moreover, low production rates due to the energy crisis as well as bottlenecks in transport capacities and delivery delays led to the significant rise in the prices of the Copper Sulphate and its downstream products during this quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
Registering recovery from winter storm in February, agrochemical sector of USA adhered prominent demand in the latter half of April. Demand for Copper Sulphate rapidly increased amid supply shortage, taking momentum from improvement in farming activities in the country. Meanwhile, the demand for Copper Sulphate rose rapidly in the global market, supported by the steep rise in demand from agriculture sector. A major manufacturer, DuPont announced price hike by around 10% in May, due to the steep rise in demand amid lower inventory level due to halted production activities after February.
Asia
Asian countries experienced a fair spike in prices of Copper Sulphate, backed by sturdy demand fundamentals amidst shortage of feedstock. In India, a huge spike in prices of Copper Sulphate was observed during this quarter, supported by firm demand from domestic fungicides sector and global rise in price of its feedstock Copper Sulphite ores. While in China, a substantial rise in prices of metallic copper was observed, backed by huge demand from domestic market. The increment in feedstock prices, increased the production cost of Copper Sulphate across the region. Therefore, after gaining a decent value within the quarter, prices of Copper Sulphate reached USD 2950/MT in June for India.
Europe
Global rise in prices of Copper Sulphate during Q2 2021 due to the firm demand from the fungicides segment influenced the market fundamentals of the products in the European market. Despite of the fact that mining activities improved in comparison to last year, prices of copper ore rose in effect of rise in metallic Copper demand. In addition, logistical issues and rising production cost also affected the prices of Copper Sulphate across the region during this quarter.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
Demand for Copper Sulphate from domestic agriculture sector remained low due to unfavourable weather conditions. During February, all the farming activities followed by industrial activities snoozed under freezing winter, hence the regional demand plummeted during this timeframe. However, the demand from Europe remained strong but inadequate production weighed down the export potential of North American region. Some traders seemed reluctant to offer stocks at discounts due to market uncertainties still hovering over the industry.
Asia
Asian market showed strong sentiments for Copper Sulphate prices and demand, during Q1 2021. As Copper Sulphate widely used in making fungicides and microbial repellent, the strong demand was backed by the crop season Zaid during March. Sturdy demand resulted pushed up the prices from USD 1728/MT to USD 1742/MT in January-March timeframe in Indian market. In addition, Sagardeep Alloys commenced their trial operations to produce Copper Sulphate in India, which is expected to assist in improving the regional supply crisis in the long term.
Europe
Europe observed firm regional demand for Copper Sulphate from domestic pharma sector during this quarter. In addition, demand was also driven by the arrival of spring season. Traders remained optimistic about the good demand from domestic agriculture sector as well. However, supply activity remained halted due to lower mining activity after rapid surge in COVID 19 cases across the region. In addition, due to high freight cost and container shortages, traders restrained to import additional cargoes from Asia which considerably affected the domestic availability of Copper Sulphate.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
Growing demand for copper sulphate and its salts in various economies especially from the agriculture and pharmaceutical sector propped up the copper sulphate offers in Q4. Uncertainty stemming from some consuming sectors kept the prices relatively pressured over Q4 2019. Rising price of cupric oxide and sulphuric acid also supported the price curve. With growing focus of major economies on agriculture and pharmaceutical industry, the demand of the product gained back the lost trend. To cater to growing product demand, a leading Indian producer was heard planning to expand its production capacity of Copper Sulphate in October. The price of copper sulphate was averaged around USD 1768 per MT in the Indian market.
Europe
Supply remained affected due to curtailed operations at some mines or normal production levels which had been pushed back due to operational restrictions amid surging COVID-19 cases. Increasing demand for Copper Sulphate from the pharmaceutical and agriculture sector contributed well to the product’s demand outlook during the quarter while the demand from the construction sector remained tepid. Rising demand from the pharmaceutical and agriculture industry and lack of overseas shipments kept the offers risen throughout December.
North America
High prices of copper oxide and sulfuric acid and tight regional supply kept the Copper Sulphate prices high towards the end of the quarter. The supply of copper oxide and sulfuric acid was lower initially in the quarter due to dampened demand. A significant shift in the consumer behavior after the pandemic has given a boost to the regional CuSO4 demand from the healthcare sector. Active restocking by the agriculture sector further supported the price and demand curve.
