Agriculture, Pesticides
July 01, 2025
Platts refines European potassium chloride assessments July 1
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has changed its methodology for the potassium chloride CFR West Europe and FOB Baltic assessments, effective July 1, 2025.
For the CFR West Europe standard and granular assessments (FKCID04 and FKCIR04), Antwerp has replaced the broader Western European area as the discharge port, reflecting its increased use as a regional hub. The minimum cargo size for the assessments is now 25,000 mt instead of 6,000 mt. The changes are intended to better reflect large cargo deliveries into the region. The assessment name has also been changed for better clarity.
The FOB Baltic standard and granular assessments (FKCIF04 and FKCIO04) have been reformed to reflect growth in long-range exports from the region. The minimum cargo size has changed to 30,000 mt from 6,000 mt, while St. Petersburg has replaced the wider Baltic area as the basis port.
Platts has also launched a single number "close" value for all four assessments, with standardized high and low ranges $1/mt above (high) and below (low) the close value.
Changes to the CFR West Europe assessments are detailed as follows:
| CFR West Europe | Current specifications | Proposed specifications |
| Assessment name |
|
|
| Platts symbol |
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| Quantity | Minimum size 6,000 mt | Basis 25,000 mt |
| Basis and location | Based on spot sales. Countries covered: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain. Discharge ports: All ports in the covered countries, imports also via rail. Where sales are confirmed on a CPT or FCA basis, these can also be reflected once it has been netted back to CFR. Where no standard grade MOP sales have been confirmed, Platts will use the known granular MOP price and apply the prevailing price differential if appropriate. | Spot, basis CFR Antwerp |
| Timing | Product to be shipped up to 30 days forward | Delivery 7-45 days forward |
Changes to the FOB Baltic assessments are detailed as follows:
| FOB Baltic | Current specifications | Proposed specifications |
| Assessment name |
|
|
| Platts symbol |
|
|
| Quantity | Minimum size 6,000 mt | 30,000 mt |
| Basis and location | Based on spot sales. Countries covered: Belarus, Russia. Loading ports include Klaipeda (Lithuania), St. Petersburg (Russia), Kaliningrad (Russia), Ust-Luga (Russia). Where no standard grade MOP sales have been confirmed, Platts will use the known granular MOP price and apply the prevailing price differential if appropriate. | Spot, basis FOB St. Petersburg |
| Timing | Product to be shipped up to 30 days forward | Loading 7-30 days forward |
Platts originally proposed the reforms to the assessments on May 12 in a subscriber note available here .
Platts then announced its decision to reform the assessments on May 28 in a subscriber note available here .
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