DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- For the first time in several months retail fertilizer prices are somewhat varied, according to prices tracked by DTN for the first week of May 2023.

Five of the eight major fertilizer prices are lower compared to last month while the remaining three are higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Anhydrous continues to lead fertilizer prices lower. The nitrogen fertilizer was 8% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $926/ton.

Four other fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $805/ton, potash $623/ton, urea $599/ton and 10-34-0 $739/ton.

Three fertilizers, meanwhile, were slightly higher compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $826/ton, UAN28 $424/ton and UAN32 $507/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.56/lb.N, UAN28 $0.76/lb.N and UAN32 $0.79/lb.N.

AdvanSix announced last week it will increase its production of granular ammonium sulfate, a compound used in many fertilizers, by 20%, according to Dow Jones. The Parsippany, N.J.-based chemical company said its goal was to increase production by about 200,000 tons a year.

"AdvanSix's SUSTAIN project will ensure that the premium granular product variety required by the U.S. market can be produced domestically, increasing resiliency in the local fertilizer market," according to the company.

The company anticipates an improvement in ammonium sulfate domestic sales volume in the second quarter in a lower nitrogen and raw material pricing environment.

All fertilizers are now double digits lower compared to one year ago. 10-34-0 is 18% less expensive, DAP is 22% lower, MAP is 26% less expensive, potash is 29% lower, UAN32 is 31% less expensive, UAN28 is 33% lower and both anhydrous and urea are 40% less expensive 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/….

Forage producers can avoid the costly guessing game of how much fertilizer to apply by doing a simple soil test, according to the University of Missouri Extension. 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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