DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Average retail prices for all fertilizers were down from last month during the second week of September 2023 except for the price of anhydrous, which climbed again, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were less expensive compared to last week, though only three saw a significant drop, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. 10-34-0 was 15% lower compared to last month with an average price of $600 per ton. Potash was 10% less expensive looking back to last month with an average price of $500/ton. DAP was 5% lower compared to the prior month with an average price of $710/ton.

Prices for the remaining four fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $742/ton, urea $554/ton, UAN28 $353/ton and UAN32 $389/ton.

As has been the case the past two weeks, the only fertilizer with a higher price was anhydrous. The nitrogen fertilizer was 11% more expensive compared to last month with an average price of $696/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.42/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.61/lb.N.

A collaboration between Northwestern University and the University of Toronto has found that producing urea by using electrified synthesis could denitrify wastewater while also enabling low-carbon-intensity urea, according to an article at www.Phys.org. (https://phys.org/…)

The process, which includes converting carbon dioxide and waste nitrogen by using a hybrid catalyst made of zinc and copper, could benefit wastewater treatment facilities by reducing their carbon footprint and supplying a potential revenue stream.

"It's estimated that synthetic fertilizer supports half of the global population," said Northwestern professor Ted Sargent. "A chief priority of decarbonization efforts is to increase quality of life on Earth, while simultaneously decreasing society's net CO2 intensity."

There's a way to go before this process can be commercialized, the researcher said. The reaction as it stands now does not account for impurities found in a water treatment context, and they also hope to increase the amount of time their process can operate.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago: DAP by 25%, MAP by 27%, 10-34-0 by 30%, urea by 32%, UAN28 by 39%, UAN32 by 41%, potash by 43%, and anhydrous is 49% cheaper.

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/….

Minnesota farmers are reminded that fall nitrogen fertilizer applications are restricted in some areas of the state, according to a recent Minnesota Department of Agriculture news release. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @RussQuinnDTN

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