January Market Update 2025
Welcome back to 2025, we hope you enjoyed a good break over the festive season and are refreshed for the season ahead. The summary at this stage of the season is things are dry to very dry which is great news for those who needed to get away and have a break at the beach with their families. Victoria has managed to get a lot more summer rain than SA and some areas of SA after a very dry season have only had some rainfall in November, so their moisture profile is empty. Although no one enjoys summer spraying I think you’re all saying that you’re happy to welcome the rains anytime from now. Let’s hope some solid weather patterns can start shaping up and create a good moisture profile for sowing.
Chemical Pricing
It looks like we’ve seen the glyphosate market bottom overseas and over the last month it’s bounced 20c/L and is heading in an upwards direction primarily off the back of the currency changes. A weaker Australian dollar will result in all imported products increasing and that means most of your farm chemical. Interestingly I had the discussion with a grower the other day about buying Glyphosate 450 and Paraquat 250 when it’s under $4L. We equated it to buying urea under $600T – when it gets this cheap you should grab some and fill the shed. I think it’s important I point this out again as the current paraquat and glyphosate pricing (in both a 450 and 540 strength) is at a long-term low point so if you can afford it, it’s worth looking at filling your shed at current pricing. History has told us it’s never been a bad move.
Other summer spraying products are readily available given the dry summer in SA and other parts of Australia. As for sowing products we’re just starting to get our organised growers locked away, so we are now ready to have this discussion with you. Feel free to get in touch with one of the team when you are ready. Across the board sowing products are similar in pricing to last year with a couple of exceptions being Propyzamide and Imazapic/Imazapyr (Smart Commandeer). Both have come down in price from 2024.
Fertiliser
Nitrogen
International markets are driving strong demand, with Southeast Asia and the Middle East pushing spot values higher. India’s search for February loading cargoes has added to this momentum.
Indonesia’s recent tender saw prices rise USD20/T FOB in a week, while Middle Eastern suppliers increased their price indications by USD10/T FOB. Limited Iranian output and high European gas prices are also sustaining these elevated prices. Over the next 30-60 days, upward price pressure is expected as manufacturers strive to meet February demand, though affordability concerns could dampen purchasing activity.
The current Indian tender closes 23rd January the outcome of which will determine immediate price trends for the short-term in Australia.
Phosphate
Global DAP and MAP supplies remain constrained. With Chinese exports stalled buyers have been forces to the Middle East & Moroccan producers. Domestic Australian prices remain steady and are unlikely to change.
Over the next 30-60 days, Ethiopia and India are expected to dominate market activity, particularly for DAP and SSP products.
Thanks again for your support in 2024. We’re very proud to be one of the few independent and Australian owned businesses still operating in the market. With the recent acquisition of Delta Agribusiness by Elders the current estimate is that between 70-85% of the Crop Protection market is now supplied by Elders and Nutrien. We are proud to play a role in the small percentage of independent operators left and appreciate your support. If there’s anything we can help you with for summer spraying or to get prepared for sowing please get in touch with one of the Crop Smart team.
