DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continue to skyrocket into historical price ranges the third week of October 2021, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. All but one of the eight major fertilizers had price increases of 10% or more compared to last month.

Leading the way higher is urea, which was up 26% compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $735 per ton.

Anhydrous was up 22% compared to the prior month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $940/ton. It's the first time anhydrous crossed the $900/ton level since the fourth week of November 2008. That week, the price was $946/ton.

UAN28 is 18% more expensive looking back to last month. The fertilizer has an average price of $451/ton. UAN32 wasn't up quite as much at $492/ton, 13% more than a month ago.

Potash is up 15% compared to last month and has an average price of $716/ton.

DAP was 14% more expensive than last month with an average price of $810/ton. DAP crossed the $800/ton level for the first time since the first week of December 2008. That week, the price was $813/ton.

MAP was 10% higher and had an average price of $863/ton.

The remaining fertilizer, 10-34-0, was 4% higher compared to last month. DTN designates a move of 5% or higher as a significant increase or decrease. The starter fertilizer had an average price of $659/ton. That's still $200/ton more than what farmers paid at this time last year.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.80/lb.N, anhydrous $0.57/lb.N, UAN28 $0.81/lb.N and UAN32 $0.77/lb.N.

Rising fertilizer prices could be affecting which crops farmers plant, not only in North America but also in South America, specifically Brazil.

Dow Jones reported last week increasing fertilizer costs appear to be affecting planting of Brazil's corn crop. The scope of this situation, however, remains unclear.

Arlan Suderman of StoneX said there are already unconfirmed reports of fertilizer shortages in Brazil.

"Those shortages may become more pronounced, though, as we move into 2022 if we remain on the same trajectory," Suderman said.

Dow Jones also reported higher fertilizer prices are affecting European plantings and may pressure the decisions of U.S. farmers if these higher nutrient prices continue.

While there are no easy answers for farmers in the current market, there are important questions to ask. DTN Staff Reporter Emily Unglesbee outlines them here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show prices for all fertilizers have increased significantly.

10-34-0 is now 45% more expensive, MAP is 81% higher, DAP is 82% more expensive, UAN32 is 97% higher, urea is 105% more expensive, UAN28 is 115% higher, potash 116% is more expensive and anhydrous is 122% higher compared to last year.

DTN gathers fertilizer price bids from around 300 retailers to compile the DTN Fertilizer Index each week. In addition to national averages, MyDTN subscribers can access the full DTN Fertilizer Index, which includes state averages, here: https://www.mydtn.com/….

An Illinois farmer is putting much thought into his fertilizer plans for the 2022 growing season. You can read it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Oct 19-23 2020	446	476	332	359
Nov 16-20 2020	455	488	336	358
Dec 14-18 2020	466	522	360	361
Jan 11-15 2021	486	551	373	373
Feb 8-12 2021	588	642	398	453
Mar 8-12 2021	615	690	423	483
Apr 5-9 2021	618	699	431	504
May 3-7 2021	634	705	436	514
May 31-Jun 4 2021	652	712	443	524
Jun 28-Jul 2 2021	677	721	476	542
Jul 26-30 2021	695	753	549	554
Aug 23-27 2021	697	756	569	557
Sep 20-24 2021	709	786	625	585
Oct 18-22 2021	810	863	716	735
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Oct 19-23 2020	456	424	209	249
Nov 16-20 2020	455	422	207	249
Dec 14-18 2020	463	450	210	253
Jan 11-15 2021	469	474	210	247
Feb 8-12 2021	512	524	243	285
Mar 8-12 2021	581	625	306	344
Apr 5-9 2021	605	692	341	378
May 3-7 2021	618	712	358	398
May 31-Jun 4 2021	619	719	363	412
Jun 28-Jul 2 2021	625	730	366	421
Jul 26-30 2021	631	737	365	419
Aug 23-27 2021	632	748	370	420
Sep 20-24 2021	633	772	383	436
Oct 18-22 2021	659	940	451	492

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

Follow him on Twitter at @RussQuinnDTN

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