DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends
Retail Fertilizer Prices Hold Steady
OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continue to move in the narrow range that has been seen in recent weeks and months, according to prices tracked by DTN for the third week of March 2015.
Half of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, but none of the four was up significantly. While 10-34-0 was 6% higher in recent weeks, the starter fertilizer declined some the third week of March. 10-34-0 had an average price of $614 per ton.
The remaining fertilizers with slighter higher prices were DAP with an average price of $570/ton, MAP $597/ton and UAN28 $332/ton.
The other half of the fertilizers slipped lower compared to a month ago, but again none were down significantly. Potash averaged $490/ton, urea $470/ton, anhydrous $705/ton and UAN32 $368/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.51/lb.N, anhydrous $0.42/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.
In an article titled, "Fertilizer Prices Slightly Higher Than in 2014," George Silva, Michigan State University Extension, reports that fertilizer retail prices are slightly higher compared to one year earlier. This increase in fertilizer prices has come after the considerable drop in commodity prices, he said.
"The decline in commodity prices has not translated to a similar decline in fertilizer prices," Silva wrote.
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Considering fertilizer makes up the single largest input cost for corn production, Michigan State University Extension recommends producers stay keenly aware of price fluctuations. Producers also need to be ready to take advantage of fertilizer purchasing options, he wrote.
"Industry experts believe that despite the fertilizer market stability, any unforeseen changes in global demand or supply may cause dramatic price shifts," he wrote."
To read the entire Michigan State University Extension article, visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/….
Two of the eight major fertilizers monitored by DTN are now double digits higher in price compared to March 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. 10-34-0 is 19% higher while anhydrous is 12% more expensive compared to year earlier.
Potash is 3% higher while MAP is 2% more and DAP is 1% more expensive compared to a year earlier.
Three nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. UAN28 is down 5% while UAN32 is now 6% less expensive and urea is 13% 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 |
Mar 17-21 2014 | 565 | 586 | 475 | 538 |
Apr 14-18 2014 | 586 | 617 | 475 | 552 |
May 12-16 2014 | 594 | 630 | 479 | 554 |
June 9-13 2014 | 594 | 630 | 482 | 541 |
July 7-11 2014 | 590 | 621 | 483 | 531 |
Aug 4-8 2014 | 589 | 609 | 474 | 518 |
Sept 1-5 2014 | 581 | 599 | 475 | 517 |
Sept 29-Oct 3 2014 | 579 | 599 | 478 | 514 |
Oct 27-31 2014 | 579 | 598 | 478 | 503 |
Nov 24-28 2014 | 576 | 595 | 480 | 492 |
Dec 22-26 2014 | 566 | 593 | 485 | 462 |
Jan 19-23 2015 | 568 | 596 | 487 | 469 |
Feb 16-20 2015 | 568 | 597 | 495 | 472 |
Mar 16-20 2015 | 570 | 597 | 490 | 470 |
LIQUID | ||||
Date Range | 10-34-0 | ANHYD | UAN28 | UAN32 |
Mar 17-21 2014 | 517 | 630 | 348 | 392 |
Apr 14-18 2014 | 525 | 685 | 355 | 401 |
May 12-16 2014 | 552 | 699 | 355 | 406 |
June 9-13 2014 | 562 | 703 | 357 | 404 |
July 7-11 2014 | 561 | 686 | 348 | 399 |
Aug 4-8 2014 | 556 | 686 | 337 | 378 |
Sept 1-5 2014 | 555 | 683 | 330 | 377 |
Sept 29-Oct 3 2014 | 556 | 695 | 328 | 374 |
Oct 27-31 2014 | 558 | 701 | 327 | 373 |
Nov 24-28 2014 | 564 | 712 | 323 | 368 |
Dec 22-26 2014 | 573 | 706 | 320 | 362 |
Jan 19-23 2015 | 585 | 707 | 326 | 367 |
Feb 16-20 2015 | 593 | 706 | 330 | 370 |
Mar 16-20 2015 | 614 | 705 | 332 | 368 |
Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com
(MZT/AG)
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