This chart shows Urea price assessments in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 7 locations, as follows:
- Urea (Gran), US (United States): Urea (granular), export spot price, fob, US Gulf
- Urea, CN (China): Urea, domestic spot price, exw, China
- Urea, SEA (Southeast Asia): Urea, import contract price, cfr, India
- Urea (Gran), SAM (South America): Urea (granular), import spot price, cfr, Brazil
- Urea (Gran), MDE (Middle East): Urea (granular), export spot price, fob, Arab Gulf
- Urea (Gran), EUR (Europe): Urea (granular), domestic spot price, ddp, United Kingdom
- Urea (Gran), AFR (Africa): Urea (granular), export spot price, fob, Egypt
The chart above is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices. Subscribe and access now current prices of 225 commodities, including Urea.
Data Use
Urea prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 225 commodities worldwide.
Intratec's methodology employs a structured big data strategy that utilizes advanced technologies to extract publicly available data from primary sources such as governmental trade records, statistics bureaus, and international agencies.
This data is then processed through mathematical models to generate reliable assessments, published at the very beginning of each month. To better understand the data provided check Intratec Primary Commodity Prices Methodology.
Data Delivery Methods
Urea price assessments are available via different delivery methods:
- Online charts
- Directly into Excel (using Intratec Add-in)
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- Web API (to facilitate integration with existing workflows)
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Urea Price Outlook
Urea Price Outlook. The price of Urea (United States) decreased during May 2020 to 220 USD per metric ton, which represents a considerable decline of 18% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, the prices of Urea (United States) decreased significantly by 28%. Meanwhile, the average price of Urea (China) amounted to 231 USD per metric ton, from 283 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the price of Urea (China) is 3% lower than the price one month before.
The price of Urea (Southeast Asia) declined considerably throughout May 2020, reaching 236 USD per metric ton. The price is 7% lower than the average price in the previous month and 17% lower than the average price one year before. In contrast, the prices of Urea (Middle East) decreased significantly during May 2020, reaching 217 USD per metric ton, which means a decline of 8% from the previous month’s price and a decline of 21% from the previous year’s price.
The prices of Urea (Africa) experienced a significant decline of 22 USD per metric ton from the prior month's price, to 214 USD per metric ton. Such price movement meant a decrease of 9% on a monthly basis and a decrease of 17% on a yearly basis. On the other hand, in May 2020, the price of Urea (Europe) witnessed a decline of 33 USD per metric ton when compared against the previous month's price, to 324 USD per metric ton. The May 2020 price is 6% lower than the price one year before.
The average price of Urea (South America) was 212 USD per metric ton on May 2020 – a sharp decrease of 24 USD per metric ton, or 10%, compared with the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, the price of Urea (South America) is 15% lower than the price one year before.
About Urea
About Urea. Urea (a.k.a. Carbamide) is a nitrogenous organic compound composed of a carbonyl group attached to two amine groups, which plays an important role in many biological processes, being a product of the decomposition of proteins. Carbamide is found as a white and odorless solid, soluble in water, with very low toxicity. Urea has the highest nitrogen content among all solid nitrogen-based fertilizers, and for that, it is mostly used as a nitrogen-release fertilizer.
On an industrial scale, Urea is produced almost exclusively by the dehydration of ammonium carbamate, derived in turn from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide. Usually, both reactions are carried out simultaneously, in a high-pressure reactor. It is worth noting that both ammonia and carbon dioxide reactants are supplied by ammonia-synthesis plants.
Commercial manufacturing processes generate aqueous solutions containing 70–87% urea, which may be directly used as fertilizer or, most commonly, further processed into granules, prills, flakes, etc. These urea solids can be coated in less-soluble chemicals such as sulfur and polymer, in order to mitigate negative aspects of urea fertilization. In fact, the majority of new commercial plants produce granules, in light of higher product quality when compared with prills.
Urea Handling. Urea should be stored in a designated area that maintains optimal conditions of coolness, dryness, and ventilation, ensuring protection against moisture and direct exposure to sunlight. When it comes to the transportation of Urea prills and granules in large quantities, various modes are employed, including trucks, ships, and rail cars. However, it is worth noting that prilled product is generally deemed less ideal for bulk transportation due to its relatively lower crushing strength, diminished shock resistance, and heightened tendency to cake compared to granules. Conversely, smaller quantities of the product can be conveniently conveyed using bags and drums.
Urea Production. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Urea are listed below.
- Ammonia + carbon dioxide (condensation)
Urea Uses. The uses and applications of Urea may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Urea are coated grade (white prills or granules) and uncoated grade (white prills or granules).
Urea is also employed in the manufacture of urea-formaldehyde resins and urea-melamine-formaldehyde, used in a range of applications such as adhesives, laminates, molding compounds, coatings, and textile finishes.