DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

Most Fertilizer Prices Continue to Rise

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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UAN32 prices are slightly higher than a month ago, but 18% lower than a year ago. (DTN chart)

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the fourth week of April 2024 continued to be slightly higher. Seven of the eight major fertilizers are higher in price compared to a month.

Despite the increases, no fertilizer was up a considerable amount. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Seven fertilizers were slightly more expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $781/ton, MAP $830/ton, urea $585/ton, 10-34-0 $641/ton, anhydrous $794/ton, UAN28 $364/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.

One fertilizer was slightly lower in price looking back a month. Potash was down just slightly and had an average price of $513/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.64/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

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In the most recent edition of the North American Agribusiness Review from Rabobank, their analysts believe the bridge collapse in the Port of Baltimore will have a limited effect on the UAN market. While roughly 15% of the U.S. UAN imports come through that port, it is important to temper fears of a shortage of UAN.

"Retail prices for UAN show all the usual cadences of seasonal cyclicality, often peaking in price in May," according to the report. "This seasonal spread has tended to be quite tight, with price inflection [points] March-to-May over the previous ten years seldom in excess of 5% (at the retail level)."

Imports have been robust over the last 12 months and that is helping the UAN market. The price response to the closure was muted at best with little response at the wholesale level west of the Mississippi River and East Coast UAN wholesale prices are now trading below the March 26 price quote.

"Volumes are likely to be rerouted and supply met," the report said.

Most fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago, but one fertilizer is slightly higher. MAP is 3% higher looking back a year.

The remaining fertilizers are lower. Urea is 2% less expensive, DAP is 6% lower, 10-34-0 13% less expensive, UAN28 is 14% lower, anhydrous is 15% less expensive and both potash and UAN32 are now 18% lower compared to a year prior.

DTN gathers fertilizer price bids from agriculture retailers each week to compile the DTN Fertilizer Index. DTN first began reporting data in November 2008.

In addition to national averages, MyDTN subscribers can access the full DTN Fertilizer Index, which includes state averages, here: https://www.mydtn.com/….

The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) was released last week, according to a press release from the University of Minnesota Extension You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Dry
Date Range DAP MAP POTASH UREA
Apr 24-28 2023 827 804 624 595
May 22-26 2023 834 832 624 623
June 19-23 2023 825 827 618 619
July 17-21 2023 807 812 608 596
Aug 14-18 2023 745 762 558 573
Sep 11-15 2023 710 742 500 554
Oct 9-13 2023 711 794 506 575
Nov 6-10 2023 714 802 509 573
Dec 4-8 2023 713 820 516 543
Jan 1-5 2024 725 812 513 534
Jan 29-Feb 2 2024 735 809 509 527
Feb 26-Mar 1 2024 756 812 505 536
Mar 25-29 2024 779 827 513 576
Apr 22-26 2024 781 830 513 585
Liquid
Date Range 10-34-0 ANHYD UAN28 UAN32
Apr 24-28 2023 740 928 426 508
May 22-26 2023 739 798 419 509
June 19-23 2023 734 755 402 471
July 17-21 2023 717 713 385 457
Aug 14-18 2023 705 630 359 399
Sep 11-15 2023 600 696 353 389
Oct 9-13 2023 613 804 356 418
Nov 6-10 2023 613 830 360 415
Dec 4-8 2023 595 847 340 409
Jan 1-5 2024 599 789 336 394
Jan 29-Feb 2 2024 610 770 334 390
Feb 26-Mar 1 2024 615 769 341 394
Mar 25-29 2024 632 794 360 404
Apr 22-26 2024 641 794 364 418

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

Follow him on social platform X @RussQuinnDTN.

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Russ Quinn