Category: Agricultural

Sulphur’s key role as a plant nutrient means that its use as a fertilizer continues to be a major area of demand.

Chemical Industries of Senegal (ICS) has launched two projects to increase phosphate fertilizer production in the country. At a company event, new managing director Mama Sougoufara said that between 2014 and 2023, ICS has expanded production to 2 million t/a of phosphate rock, 600,000 t/a of phosphoric acid, and 250,000 t/a of phosphate fertilizer. The new expansions, with a price tag put at $475 million, include a plant at Mbao to increase fertilizer output from 250,000 t/a to 600,000 t/a, as well as a new phosphate rock processing plant, increasing output by 300,000 t/a. The company has seen its financial situation improve in recent years thanks to its takeover by the Indorama Group, though the Senegalese government retains a 15% stake.

Tight supply limits availability as China maintains export restrictions.

Grupa Azoty SA is set to begin producing its new multi-component fertilizer – POLIFOSKA Multi S –at its Police site in Poland. This launch marks the latest addition to the company’s fertilizer portfolio, joining the likes of megAN (a high-granule ammonium nitrate fertilizer), RSM OPTIMA (a nitrate-urea solution with a distinctive light blue colour for easy product origin identification), and eNpluS (an ammonium fertilizer enriched with sulphur and calcium). POLIFOSKA Multi-S is designed with readily soluble and plant-available nutrients: 7% nitrogen in ammoniacal form, 10% phosphorus, 20% potassium, 5% calcium, 1% magnesium, and 23% sulphur in sulphate form. It is also enriched with silicon. Thanks to its excellent water solubility, the nutrients are rapidly delivered to the roots, supporting plant development from the very start of the growing season.

Yara says that it plans to wind down production of phosphate fertilizers and sulphuric acid at two sites in Brazil; Cubatão and Paulínia. The sites are expected to cease production by 3Q 2025, as part of what Yara describes as a strategy to concentrate on more sustainable operations focused on its main activity: the production of nitrogen fertilizers. At Cubatão, the suspension will affect unit 3 and the phosphate plants of unit 2, while units 1 and 2, responsible for the production of nitrogen, in addition to the mixer (unit 5), will continue to operate normally. Yara reported a net loss of $290 million in 4Q 2024, down $536 million from the $246 million profit it made in 4Q 2023. Revenues are down 11% for the year, leading Yara to announce a cost reduction and investment program of $150 million, with the aim of optimising its operations and focusing on strategic areas to ensure long-term sustainability. At the same time, the company has begun renewable ammonia production at Cubatão.

Although China remains the world’s largest phosphate producer, it has been overtaken as the largest exporter by Morocco in recent years as domestic producers face continuing restrictions on exports.

Dr Karl Wyant of Nutrien outlines how the phosphorus and potassium removed during soybean/corn rotations are best replenished.

Soybean growers are increasingly turning to biostimulants and micronutrients such as boron to achieve yield gains.

In the ever-evolving landscape of agricultural inputs, a quiet revolution has been taking place across Latin America. Value-added fertilizers (VAFs), long operating in the shadows of traditional fertilizers, have emerged as a powerful force in the region’s agricultural transformation. Vatren Jurin of DunhamTrimmer explains more.

Demand for nitrates has rebounded after a difficult period following the dislocations caused by the war in Ukraine, with UAN in particular seeing rapid growth. Technical ammonium nitrate is also growing on the back of increased mining activity.