DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continue to march higher and higher, according to locations tracked by DTN for the first week of April 2022. All fertilizers were higher once again compared to last month.

Leading the way higher was urea. The nitrogen fertilizer was 14% more expensive compared to last month and had an average price of $1,031/ton, which is an all-time high price in the DTN data set.

DAP was 13% higher compared the prior month with an average price of $1,040/ton, an all-time high price. MAP was 11% more expensive looking back a month with an average price of $1,056/ton.

Potash was also up a considerable amount. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more. Potash was 6% more expensive compared to last month and had an average price of $875/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were slightly higher compared to the previous month. 10-34-0 had an average price of $901/ton, anhydrous $1,534/ton (all-time high), UAN28 $629/ton (all-time high) and UAN32 $729/ton (all-time high).

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $1.12/lb.N, anhydrous $0.94/lb.N, UAN28 $1.12/lb.N and UAN32 $1.14/lb.N.

In recent weeks, DAP moved to an all-time high price in our data set. This now puts five fertilizers (DAP, urea, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32) at all-time high price levels.

I wondered how close the remaining three fertilizers are to their all-time high prices.

MAP has an average price of $1,056/ton for the first week of April 2022. The all-time high price for this phosphorus fertilizer was set the first week of November 2008 at $1,079/ton, so we are only $23/ton away from setting a new all-time high price for MAP.

What about potash? The fertilizer's average price currently is $875/ton. The all-time high price for potash is $896/ton, also set the first week of November 2008; so we are just $21/ton away from a new high for potash.

The only fertilizer not threatening its all-time price level is 10-34-0.

Starter fertilizer has an average price of $901/ton the first week of April and the all-time high price is $1,250/ton, set the first week of November 2008. We are still $349/ton away from seeing a new high price in 10-34-0.

If prices continue to climb, we might establish new record high prices in MAP and potash in the coming weeks. The all-time high price for 10-34-0, however, appears to be safe.

For now.

Most fertilizers continue to be considerably higher in prices than one year earlier.

10-34-0 is 49% more expensive, MAP is 51% higher, DAP is 68% more expensive, UAN28 is 85% higher, UAN32 is 93% more expensive, potash is 103% is higher, urea is 105% higher and anhydrous is 122% more expensive compared to last year.

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/….

Last week, retail fertilizer prices moved higher lead by DAP, potash and MAP. You can read it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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