Little can stop rising price demands globally ahead of the annual closure of the US upper Mississippi River system, there is speculation among US buyers that barge values will fall in November-December as US producers move to lock in forward spring sales. At the very least, US sales are expected to come down to levels seen in the international market, as US producers will finally take another serious look overseas for spot business, something that has been rare since July. US end-users also expect producers to price forward offers for spring delivery at a level that discourages the recent surge in DAP/MAP imports from China, the FSU and North Africa. However, it appears US producers simply cannot keep up with domestic MAP demand.
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