Phosphate markets get off to slow start in 2018

摘要

Phosphate trade started 2018 very slowly with most market participants off for New Year holidays while the bid/offer spread for DAP/MAP and Q1 phosphoric acid contracts remains far apart. Most DAP/MAP markets are largely balanced at this point as low seasonal demand is offset by limited availability after Mosaic completed the planned shutdown of its Plant City site entering 2018 and Chinese suppliers focus activity on the country's domestic buying season.