Agricultural demand underpins gas as fertilizer producers hike output

摘要

Hefty demand and rising crop prices have bolstered the standing of once-ailing nitrogen fertilizer producers, many of which believe demand for fertilizer could surpass last year's levels - thus underpinning strong demand for gas in the year ahead."Because crop prices are high, [farmers] can afford to apply fertilizer to maximize the yield," said Bill Bathe, president of Minneapolis-based energy management company US Energy Services. "There's always been fertilizer applied, but at times they're not used as much because demand isn't that great and there isn't much of a return."