End of low Chinese export taxes on fertilizer on 31 Oct. 2013
N-fertilizer prices fell considerably after the end of the fertilizer season. The driving forces were the fall in grain prices and the temporary reduction in Chinese export duties. Stable natural gas prices, on the other hand, had virtually no effect.
Although the uncertainty caused by the collapse of the Belarus-Uralkali cartel will still have some after-effects, the potential price reductions appear to have been largely exhausted.
On the European markets, the relatively strong euro exchange rate has contributed to a significant downward trend in prices. However, this trend will soon be brought to an end by the global market.
On 31 Oct. 2013, the deadline for the low Chinese export taxes on fertilizers expires and the full rate comes into effect again. This could be the first trigger for a stronger rise in fertilizer prices. Slight increases cannot be ruled out for the end of October.
At the moment, prices are still trading at a stable level.
