A World View: Global and ethanol demands are having a big impact on U.S. fertilizer consumption

摘要

AVING been at The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) for 28 years, I can surely attest that every fertilizer year is different. Some years demand is high and movement is brisk; other times demand slows and with it the pace of movement. As we begin the 2008 fertilizer year, let's take a look at what we know. Average prices paid by U.S. growers for the major fertilizer nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash—reached the highest level on record in July of this year. In fact, fertilizer prices were 113% higher than 1990-92 levels, according to USDA. The spring fertilizer season moved at a brisk pace. There were several reasons for the swift movement, including global fertilizer demand, U.S. ethanol production, and continued high natural gas prices.