Basic Issues in buying nitrogen

Nitrogen is used in a wide variety of activities and its demands on the market are rising every day. Medical facilities, laboratories, specialized industries, agriculture, need different nitrogen based products to fulfill their goals. In some cases, consumers buy nitrogen in liquid or pure, gaseous state. For instance, while farmers buy nitrogen fertilizers to enhance food production, medical facilities buy nitrogen in gaseous state in order to produce medicines or to preserve organisms that require special conditions. Medical facilities also buy nitrogen in liquid state for performing surgeries. Beer factories and various branches of the food industry also buy nitrogen in large quantities to sustain their activity. Nitrogen prices fluctuate a lot and in these conditions prices tend to change more quickly on the world market, as supplies are limited. Therefore, consumers find themselves under a lot of pressure when confronted with these issues. Although there is no stampede to buy nitrogen, merchants and salesmen are anxious to ensure that regular early buyers are covered. Because of the high volatility of raw material prices - particularly gas - manufacturers are not keen to commit. In autumn, gas prices start to move from a summer low towards the winter peak. Buying nitrogen in the winter season is very difficult, as nitrogen resources become more expensive and scarce. Importers are also playing a waiting game, until prospects for the spring price become clearer. In given conditions, most cargoes are expected before Christmas and availability decreases after this date. Because of these issues, importers need to consider enhancing storage space and buying nitrogen in larger quantities when available. In autumn, farmers are more preoccupied with harvest than with buying nitrogen, as the size and quality of planting will be the next indicators for the coming season's nitrogen market. Nitrogen prices and availability are mostly set by the needs of agriculture. Therefore, suppliers take in consideration previous nitrogen requests before deciding upon the next offer. Buying nitrogen is not easy and while demands are increasing, suppliers don't keep up with the actual needs on the world market in present.