Urea is the world's most traded nitrogen fertilizer, alongside DAP, MAP, potash and NPK blends. Producers in the Arab Gulf, Egypt, Russia, Nigeria, Algeria and China sell to importers and state agencies in India, Brazil, the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia, often through public tenders.
Grades and specifications
| Grade | What it is | Price reference |
|---|---|---|
| Urea 46% granular | Main grade for bulk trade and blending | FOB Middle East, Egypt, Baltic assessments |
| Urea 46% prilled | Smaller particles; some markets prefer prilled | Discount or premium to granular |
| Technical / automotive urea | For AdBlue/DEF and industry; tighter impurity limits | Producer contracts |
| DAP 18-46-0, MAP 11-52-0 | Phosphate fertilizers | FOB Morocco, Saudi Arabia, China; CFR India |
| Potash (MOP 60% K2O) | Granular or standard | CFR Brazil, Southeast Asia |
| NPK blends | Formula-specific | Producer quotations |
Urea 46% granular: parameters commonly specified
| Parameter | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | min 46.0% |
| Biuret | max 1.0% |
| Moisture | max 0.5% |
| Granule size | 90% min between 2 and 4 mm |
| Colour | White, free flowing |
| Treatment | Anti-caking, if specified |
Specifications vary by origin, buyer and contract. The contract specification, not a generic sheet, is what the inspector tests against.
Typical contract terms
- Incoterms: FOB loading port or CFR destination
- Lot sizes: 25,000–50,000 MT bulk; bagged product in 50 kg or 1 MT bags
- Payment: Documentary LC at sight; state tenders set their own terms
- Inspection: SGS or similar at loading for quality and weight
Documents
Seller provides
- Producer allocation or supply contract with the plant
- Export licence where required (e.g. under Chinese quotas)
- Certificates of quality, weight and origin
- Safety data sheet
- Bill of lading, invoice, packing list
Buyer provides
- Fertilizer import registration in the destination
- Letter of intent with grade, quantity, packing, port and laycan
- Bank details for verification
Procedure
- Enquiry and specificationBuyerProduct, grade, quantity, packing, destination, delivery window, Incoterm and payment method, on company letterhead.
- KYC in both directionsBuyerSellerRegistry extracts, ownership, licences and bank details are exchanged and verified. See Documents Checklist.
- Offer and negotiationSellerA firm offer with price basis, validity, quantity tolerance, inspection and payment terms.
- ContractBuyerSellerA sales and purchase agreement on recognised contract terms, with law and arbitration named.
- Payment securityBanksDocumentary letter of credit at sight, confirmed where needed, or another instrument agreed in draft before issue.
- Inspection and loadingSellerInspector samples during loading for nitrogen, biuret, moisture and granulometry and supervises a draft survey.
- Documents and paymentBanksInvoice, clean on-board bill of lading, certificates of quality, weight and origin, and insurance under CIF.
Price reference
| Benchmark or range | Level | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Urea granular | $400–405/MT | Middle East FOB futures, 14 Aug 2026 |
| DAP | ~$730–820/MT | Global CFR/FOB, 14 Aug 2026 |
| Potash / MOP | ~$310–420/MT | Major import markets, 14 Aug 2026 |
| Ammonia | ~$500–700/MT | Gulf / Tampa / Europe, 14 Aug 2026 |
Indian import tenders often set the reference price for urea and DAP. Latest levels are in the Weekly Market Monitor.
Check before you trade
- Urea offered at $100 or more below the FOB Middle East range, in fixed monthly volumes for 12 months
- Sellers who cannot show a producer allocation
- Origins under sanctions, or producers owned by sanctioned persons
- Fees requested for "allocation", "registration" or a "proof of product"
RelatedFertilizer markets · Sulphur procedure · Payment terms · Scam red flags · Listings on TradeScout24
TradeScout24 Trade Desk · Sources: TradeScout24 Weekly Market Monitor, 14 Aug 2026; producer specifications · General information, not an offer or legal advice · Last reviewed 31 Oct 2026