Potassium Humate Price — what you actually pay per ton
A straight answer instead of "contact us for price": the FOB China range for each grade, the five factors that move the number, and the warning signs of a quote that is too cheap to be the grade you asked for.
ISO & REACH documentation · COA and MSDS issued per batch · reply within 12 working hours
Indicative FOB China
by grade
Ranges reflect offers visible on B2B platforms and direct factory quotes in Q4 2026. Treat them as a benchmark for negotiation, not as our quotation — your final price depends on volume, packing and specification.
| Grade | Price range | Usually bought for |
|---|---|---|
| 0150-60% humic, 85-95% soluble, coal / lignite source | $400 - 700 | Repacking, local blends, cost-driven markets |
| 0260-70% humic, ≥95% soluble, leonardite | $550 - 800 | Mainstream blending and distribution |
| 0370%+ humic, ≥99% soluble, low ash | $700 - 1,000 | Premium blends, hard-water areas |
| 04Super 90%+ humic, anti-flocculation | $800 - 1,500 | Foliar and fertigation, high-value crops |
| 05Fulvic-rich (15-50% FA) | $1,300 - 1,600 | High-end liquid formulations |
| 06Granular 2-4 mm (any grade) | add $20 - 40 / MT | Soil application, NPK granule blending |
These are market ranges, not a fixed price list. Raw material, energy and freight all move the number. For a firm quote against your specification, send the grade and volume — you will get a written price with validity.
Five things that move
the price
If you understand these five, you can read any quotation — including ours — in about two minutes.
1. Raw material: leonardite vs lignite
Leonardite is a highly oxidised young coal with high active humic content and low ash. Lignite and weathered coal are cheaper and carry more inert material. Leonardite-derived product typically costs 20-30% more and is the reason two "70%" products behave differently in your tank.
2. Humic acid content — measured on a dry basis
Always compare humic acid on a dry basis. "Total humate", "organic matter" and "humic + fulvic" are wider measures that flatter the number. A 70% dry-basis product is a different commodity from a 70% "organic matter" product.
3. Solubility and anti-flocculation
Getting from 95% to 99% solubility, and staying clear in hard water, costs refining yield. That is why the super grade sits 40-80% above standard flakes. If you run drip irrigation, this is the line item that decides whether you spend the money on product or on labour cleaning emitters.
4. Documentation and certification
A full COA per batch, MSDS, ISO and REACH documentation carry a real cost. Suppliers who cannot produce them are cheaper for a reason — and the gap usually shows up at customs or at your customer's audit, not at the quote stage.
5. Packing and volume
25 kg bags cost more per ton than 1,000 kg jumbo bags. Printed private-label bags add tooling and minimum run costs. A 1 MT trial order and a 26 MT container are priced differently — and both are legitimate.
When a quote is
too cheap
Five questions that separate a bargain from a problem, in the order you should ask them.
- "Send the COA for this batch." No COA, no comparison. Check humic acid on a dry basis, not "total humate".
- "What is the raw material source?" Leonardite, lignite, or weathered coal — and ask for the mine region.
- "How is solubility tested?" A percentage without a method is marketing. Ask for the standard, e.g. NY/T 1973-2010.
- "Can you do the jar test with my water?" 1 g in 1 L at 250 ppm Ca, 30 minutes, no floc. A serious supplier says yes.
- "What is the ash content?" High ash is the cheapest way to add weight and the fastest way to clog a line.
A quote 30-40% below the range in the table above is not a negotiation opening — it is usually a different product. The expensive mistake is not paying $650 instead of $500; it is receiving a container that fails your customer's test and cannot be returned.
MOQ, lead time
and payment
Clear terms up front so you can plan the shipment before you commit.
A 1 MT minimum lets you run a real trial — a full pallet through your own process, not a 500 g sample your lab handles differently. Lead time is 15 days after payment for standard grades; private-label printing adds the artwork and bag production time.
Payment terms are confirmed on the proforma. For repeat buyers we discuss terms on the second or third order, not the first.
Price FAQ
Why do quotes for the same "70% potassium humate" differ by 40%?
Because the label hides three variables: the raw material (leonardite costs more than lignite and behaves differently), the solubility actually achieved (95% versus 99% is a different production cost), and the documentation (a full COA with heavy metals and REACH paperwork is not free). A 40% gap usually means one of those three is missing, not that the seller is generous.
Is a quote under USD 400 per ton real?
It can be real product, but it is almost never the grade you think you ordered. At that level you are normally looking at low humic acid content, lignite or weathered coal source, high ash, or material that will leave sediment in your tank. Ask for the COA with humic acid on a dry basis and the solubility test method before you compare it with a serious quote.
Do you quote CIF or FOB?
We quote FOB by default and can quote CIF to your port on request. For a first order, FOB plus your own forwarder usually gives you the clearest view of the real product cost, because freight varies weekly.
How long is a quotation valid?
Thirty days from issue, unless the raw material market moves sharply. We state the validity on the proforma so there is no ambiguity at order confirmation.
Can I mix grades in one container?
Yes. Blenders and distributors regularly load two or three grades in a 20' or 40' container. Send the split you want and we will return a loading plan with the exact tonnage per grade.