Nitric Acid Prices Fell During the Off-Season for Demand

Market analysis

Demand to concentrated nitric acid is currently in a seasonal lull. On the supply side, regional disparities are evident due to the combined impact of summer maintenance shutdowns and production cutbacks caused by operational fluctuations; notably, major producers in the Northeast have halted operations, driving a localized, immediate market direction, while the overall market remains largely stable with only minor fluctuations.

Between August 10 and 14, the price of the upstream raw material fluid ammonia rose by 2.36%, while downstream markets saw a predominantly downward direction. Production resumed at a levels of facilities that had previously undergone maintenance or operated at reduced loads, leading to a rebound in the circulation volume of commercial ammonia. Coupled with persistently sluggish demand from both the fertilizer and chemical sectors—resulting in a clearly loose supply-demand stability—quotations in most regions continued to soften and decline. Rising costs failed to reverse the overall situation of weak demand.