Recent data from the Chinese customs office shows that China exported 2.179 million tons of fertilizer in August, which is an increase of 1.8% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The export value reached 630 million USD, which is an increase of 18.6% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. This was the first time in 2018 that the monthly export of fertilizer had increased. It is a sign that the Chinese fertilizer exports have made a positive change.
The main variety of exported fertilizer is the triple compound of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This fertilizer took advantage of lowered custom levies. The export volume of this fertilizer reached 47 thousand tons in August. That is a one month increase of 62% in comparison with the total export volume of this fertilizer, which reached 222 thousand tons in the period from January to August. It is also an increase of 506.6% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. The export volume of diammonium phosphate decreased in August after a rapid increase in the previous months. The overall export volume reached 690 thousand tons, which is a decrease of 22.5% in comparison with the same period in the previous year.
As for imports, China imported 570 thousand tons of various fertilizers in August. This is a decrease of 12.3% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. Potassium chloride topped the list of imported fertilizers with a total import volume of 400 thousand tons in August. This is a decrease of 29.8% in comparison with the same period in the previous year. Second on the list is the triple compound of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with a total import volume of 140 thousand tons in August. This is an increase of 75% in comparison with the same period in the previous year.
Source: ipaper.ccin.com.cn