DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Retail prices of all eight major fertilizers continued to climb in the third week of October, with anhydrous leading the way while farmers continued to hit the fields.

Anhydrous climbed 6% on average to $809 per ton, the only significant jump this week. DTN surveys retail fertilizer sellers weekly to establish price estimates. DTN considers a price change of 5% or higher a significant move.

The average price of MAP increased by about 4% to $791 this week. UAN32's price jumped by 3% to $418.

Three fertilizers reported increases of 1% from last month, with urea at $574 per ton, UAN28 at $356 and DAP at $709.

There were two fertilizers that showed small gains -- potash at $504 per ton and 10-34-0 at $612.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $1.01/lb.N, anhydrous $1.06/lb.N, UAN28 $1.01/lb.N and UAN32 $1.03/lb.N.

The North Dakota Legislature reconvened this week after a North Dakota Office of Management and Budget bill was ruled unconstitutional by the state's supreme court.

The North Dakota Farmers Union was calling on lawmakers this week to retain a program designed to support in-state fertilizer production.

"Expanding in-state fertilizer production was a top legislative priority for our members this past legislative session and it remains a priority," NDFU President Mark Watne said in a news release.

In Senate Bill 2015, legislators directed the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority to establish a fertilizer development incentive program of up to $125 million.

"Because we are at the end of the supply chain, farmers in North Dakota are consistently subjected to higher fertilizer prices and extreme price volatility compared to other parts of the country," Watne said.

"This bill would position North Dakota as a leader in cutting-edge fertilizer production technology. It's a win for farmers and a win for North Dakota."

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 20% lower, DAP is 24% less expensive, 10-34-0 is 19% lower, urea is 30% less expensive, both UAN28 and UAN32 are 38% lower, potash is 42% lower and anhydrous is 43% 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/….

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DTNeeley

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