DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer sellers tracked by DTN for the second week of November 2022 continue to show prices floating around slightly higher and slightly lower.

Five fertilizers were marginally lower compared to last month while the remaining three were somewhat higher. No fertilizer was substantially higher or lower; DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The five slightly lower were MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0 and anhydrous. MAP had an average price of $978/ton, potash $848/ton, urea $812/ton, 10-34-0 $753/ton and anhydrous $1,415/ton.

The other three fertilizers were slightly more expensive looking back to last month. DAP had an average price of $930/ton, UAN28 $584/ton and UAN32 $681/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.88/lb.N, anhydrous $0.86/lb.N, UAN28 $1.04/lb.N and UAN32 $1.06/lb.N.

In a recent press release, Yara International called on European Union governments to take action to assure the supply of nitrogen both for fertilizer and nonfertilizer uses. The fertilizer giant said AdBlue, which is produced in the same plants that manufacture fertilizer, is essential for a functioning transportation sector with more than 29 million vehicles in Europe requiring this product.

"Continuous and undisrupted supply of AdBlue is vital. Clean air to breath and a functioning transport sector are fundamental for society," said Jorge Noval, president of Yara International Solutions. "Fertilizer and food supplies, pharmaceutical and hospital supplies -- they all rely on AdBlue."

Yara said the E.U.'s package of solutions for the European fertilizer industry should include two main points.

First, the E.U. needs to secure continued access to natural gas for fertilizer plants. Natural gas is the raw material for fertilizer plants needed to keep production running.

Secondly, Yara wants the E.U. to reinforce Europe's strategic autonomy. European authorities should prioritize the supply of raw materials for European nitrogen production to avoid increased carbon emissions and prevent new dependencies, according to Yara.

Most fertilizers continue to be higher in price than one year earlier, although one is now slightly lower.

Urea is now 5% less expensive from one year ago. Both UAN28 and 10-34-0 are 2% higher, UAN32 is 5% more expensive, MAP is 7% higher, potash is 10% more expensive, DAP is 13% higher and anhydrous is 16% 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/….

A recent study from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) calls for improved access to fertilizer across the world to avert a looming food crisis, according to a WTO press release. 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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