Potash: Global shipments accelerated through Q2

The company said, "In North America, demand at the farm level was very strong through the spring planting season. Second-quarter shipments from domestic producers exceeded those of the prior year by 28 percent, with shipments for the first six months of 2014 approaching record totals. Shipments by North American producers to offshore markets increased from the first quarter as rail constraints began to improve and customers in all key markets actively secured supply.... In nitrogen, prices reflected typical seasonal patterns and moved lower as the quarter progressed. While offshore prices for ammonia and urea softened during the quarter relative to the same period last year, key North American benchmarks remained comparatively strong due to healthy demand and reduced imports. After phosphate markets rebounded early in 2014, demand and pricing remained relatively stable through the second quarter. Continuing slow demand in India during first-half 2014 was largely offset by the strength of demand in other regions, in particular Brazil and North America. Increased availability of product from offshore competitors limited exports for US producers, but was offset by healthy domestic demand and lower output due to reported production challenges."