DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

Fertilizer Prices Deflate Again

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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National average anhydrous prices are running about 10% lower than a year ago in DTN's latest retailer surveys. (DTN chart)

OMAHA (DTN) -- As has been the case in recent months, fertilizer prices continue to shift slightly lower, according to retailers contacted by DTN in the first week of November 2015.

All eight major fertilizers were lower in price compared to a month earlier but none were down any significant amount. DAP averaged $546/ton, MAP $560/ton, potash $430/ton, urea $405/ton, 10-34-0 $583/ton, anhydrous $633/ton, UAN28 $291/ton and UAN32 $332/ton.

One interesting price to note is that of UAN28. The nitrogen fertilizer's price fell below $300/ton for the first time since September 2010. The average retail price back then was $296/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.39/lb.N, UAN28 $0.52/lb.N and UAN32 $0.52/lb.N.

While prices are moving lower slowly, some retailers believe the fertilizer markets have made their move for now. Mitch Bambauer, manager and agronomy representative for Bambauer Fertilizer and Seed located in Jackson Center, Ohio, told DTN he thinks fertilizer prices could be set for the near future.

"We have seen some softening in the fertilizer markets and I think they have made their adjustment for now," Bambauer said.

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Bambauer said many farmers in his home area of west-central Ohio take advantage of the period after harvest to get some fertilizer applied before winter begins. The fall fertilizer application season allows some farmers to shift fertilizer application from the busy spring to the less busy fall and avoids heavy field traffic on typically wet soils in the spring.

"There are a lot of advantages for getting the fertilizer on in the fall and our farmers aren't waiting for wetter weather," he said.

With retail fertilizer moving lower in recent months, only one fertilizer is now higher compared to a year earlier. 10-34-0 is 4% higher compared to last year.

The remaining seven nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. Both DAP and MAP are now 6% less expensive while potash, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32 are all 10% lower. Urea is 19% less expensive from a year previous.

DTN collects roughly 1,700 retail fertilizer bids from 310 retailer locations weekly. Not all fertilizer prices change each week. Prices are subject to change at any time.

DTN Pro Grains subscribers can find current retail fertilizer price in the DTN Fertilizer Index on the Fertilizer page under Farm Business.

Retail fertilizer charts dating back to November 2008 are available in the DTN fertilizer segment. The charts included cost of N/lb., DAP, MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32.

DTN's average of retail fertilizer prices from a month earlier ($ per ton):

DRY
Date Range DAP MAP POTASH UREA
Nov 3-7 2014 579 598 480 500
Dec 1-5 2014 573 592 481 485
Dec 29-Jan 2 2015 565 593 486 462
Jan 26-30 2015 568 597 487 472
Feb 23-27 2015 568 597 488 472
Mar 23-27 2015 570 598 490 467
Apr 20-24 2015 570 598 491 453
May 18-22 2015 570 597 492 459
June 15-19 2015 571 597 490 467
July 13-17 2015 569 593 488 470
Aug 10-14 2015 568 591 479 457
Sep 7-11 2015 563 580 467 433
Oct 5-9 2015 548 564 446 418
Nov 2-6 2015 546 560 430 405
Liquid
Date Range 10-34-0 ANHYD UAN28 UAN32
Nov 3-7 2014 559 705 324 369
Dec 1-5 2014 568 714 323 368
Dec 29-Jan 2 2015 576 707 322 353
Jan 26-30 2015 585 707 326 367
Feb 23-27 2015 598 706 330 370
Mar 23-27 2015 639 706 333 371
Apr 20-24 2015 650 711 329 371
May 18-22 2015 650 710 332 372
June 15-19 2015 642 706 330 369
July 13-17 2015 639 691 323 359
Aug 10-14 2015 631 677 315 356
Sep 7-11 2015 594 656 301 346
Oct 5-9 2015 584 639 294 338
Nov 2-6 2015 583 633 291 332

Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

(MZT/CZ)

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Russ Quinn