International Fertilizer and Agriculture News - August 20

India's NFL and FACT Complete DAP Tenders

Indian fertilizer importer NFL is likely to have purchased two 30,000-tonne DAP cargoes from trading firm Midgulf International at up to USD 920/tonne CFR, equivalent to a midpoint of USD 910/tonne CFR. Fellow importer FACT received four offers in its 50,000-tonne DAP tender. When NFL's tender closed on August 11, it had received offers from four trading companies: Ameropa, Oasis Global, Agrifields and Midgulf. The tender required delivery of two 30,000-tonne DAP cargoes to India's west coast by August 31. The transaction could not be confirmed with Midgulf, and the origin of the cargoes is unknown. FACT closed its 50,000-tonne DAP tender today after extending the deadline by one day on August 17. The importer required DAP shipment by August 31 and received the following offers: producer OCP offered Moroccan DAP for delivery to New Mangalore or Tuticorin; trader VB Venture offered US DAP for delivery to New Mangalore or Tuticorin; Oasis Global offered Russian DAP for delivery to Tuticorin; and Ameropa offered open-origin DAP for delivery to New Mangalore or Tuticorin.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day Two: Results Point to Lower Yields

On the second day of the US Pro Farmer Crop Tour, corn and soybean yield indicators in Nebraska and Indiana fell below their three-year averages, providing further evidence of lower US crop yields in 2026. The two legs of the crop tour surveyed routes from Grand Island east to Nebraska City in Nebraska, and from Noblesville, Indiana, west to Bloomington, Illinois, on Tuesday. Nebraska corn yield was estimated at 163.61 bushels per acre, 5.6% below the three-year average, while the Indiana tour result was 183.54 bushels per acre, 2.1% below the three-year average. For both states, the tour's findings contrast sharply with current US Department of Agriculture forecasts, which project Nebraska corn yields to rise 2.6% above the three-year average to 183 bushels per acre, and Indiana yields to rise 4.6% to 206 bushels per acre. Soybean pod counts, measured in a three-foot by three-foot plot, were 0.6% below Nebraska's three-year average of 1,219.61, while Indiana pod counts declined 3.4% to 1,318.64. By comparison, the USDA projects Nebraska soybean yields in 2026 to rise 8.2% above the three-year average to 57 bushels per acre, while Indiana yields are expected to increase 4.8% to 62 bushels per acre.

Crops Continue to Show Inadequate Pollination

Both states reported heat-related pollination problems, with tip-back and missing kernel rows repeatedly observed on corn ears, although the extent of tip-back in Nebraska was lower than that observed in South Dakota the previous day. On the weather side, rainfall was scarce early in the growing season across much of Nebraska, and some farmers reported receiving no rain since July 4. Crop damage was observed throughout Nebraska as a result of this year's hot and dry weather. However, southern corn rust, which was widespread last year, is no longer a significant issue for corn this year. Crop conditions in irrigated areas were relatively better, but yields may still be below last year because of heat stress and inadequate pollination. Increased corn-on-corn planting was also observed in Nebraska, and yields in these fields were generally lower, similar to fields planted continuously for two consecutive years. Soybeans appeared to be in better condition than corn because high temperatures in early July had less effect on soybeans. However, some fields near Grand Island, Nebraska, had not yet reached the flowering stage. Heavy rainfall on the night before the crop tour also caused ponding in several soybean fields. Crop conditions improved as the tour moved into eastern Nebraska, particularly for corn. However, weed pressure increased in many corn and soybean fields. Overall, the impact on Nebraska's corn crop this season is evident, with the tour reporting ear counts at their lowest level since 2013. The tour will enter Iowa and travel across Illinois today. Surveys began in northeastern Illinois on Tuesday, with early indications suggesting that the state's corn and soybean crops will again face inadequate pollination.