Ammonium sulfate gains prominence in the fertilizer market

Ammonium sulfate (AMS) has been gaining prominence in the Brazilian market in recent months. The increase in demand for fertilizers, according to a weekly report from StoneX, a global financial services company, was expected in the run-up to summer. However, the preference for less concentrated fertilizers has been one of the factors driving this increase.

“At this time, it is estimated that the amount of ammonium sulfate expected in Brazilian ports, especially in Santos and Paranaguá, far exceeds the volume of urea estimated to arrive in the country,” highlights the Market Intelligence analyst, Tomás Pernías (in the picture).

By 2025, high fertilizer prices and unfavorable terms of trade led importers to seek more competitive alternatives. "The need for nitrogen and phosphates is being partially met precisely by these lower-concentration products, which require larger quantities in tons to provide the same amounts of nutrients that would be present in higher-concentration products," he says.

As a result, this choice increased the total volume of fertilizers entering Brazil, intensifying port traffic, precisely at a time of traditionally strong demand. "According to information collected by StoneX, this preference for lower-concentration products is likely to continue in the coming weeks," he emphasizes.

Given this scenario, nitrogen imports are expected to remain strong in the final months of the year, mainly due to the need to supply the second corn crop, a crop that demands high levels of nitrogen. "Consequently, the market remains vigilant to determine whether ammonium sulfate will maintain its leading position in imports or whether urea will regain ground by the end of 2025," he concludes.