Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)

The chemical formula for calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is not a single compound but rather a mixture of various compounds, primarily consisting of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).  Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) typically contains 27% nitrogen, 2.4% magnesium and 5.3% calcium as calcium magnesium carbonate.

CAN is composed of ammonium nitrate, which provides readily available nitrogen to plants, and calcium carbonate or limestone, which supplies calcium, an essential nutrient for plant growth and development.

Calcium is essential for cell wall formation, root development, and overall plant structure. CAN provides a readily available source of calcium, particularly beneficial for crops with high calcium requirements. CAN is commonly used as a nitrogen and calcium fertilizer in various crops, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and legumes. It can be applied through broadcasting, side-dressing, or incorporated into the soil before planting.

CAN consumption and trade is concentrated in Europe where Germany is by far the largest importer on a global scale, taking around 2 million tonnes per year or about one-fifth of the global import market each year.

Nitrate prices generally move in step with urea as this is the main competition product, although prices can move in different directions on the back of structural or fundamental changes in one of the markets.

Through the Profercy Nitrogen Service, Profercy provides expert market analysis of global ammonium nitrate markets. This includes weekly price assessments for all major pricing points, such as:

• CAN France €pt deld bulk
• CAN Germany €pt cif bulk