DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Average retail prices for most fertilizers continued to rise at a good clip the first partial week of December 2021, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Once again, the nitrogen fertilizers maintained their spot as the clear leaders.

Five of the eight major fertilizers recorded a sizable move higher compared to last month. DTN designates a substantial move as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way higher, as it has for several weeks now, was anhydrous, which was up 18% from a month prior. The nitrogen fertilizer's average price was at $1,313 per ton, which continues to be all-time high in the DTN data set.

UAN32 was 9% more expensive compared to last month with the average price at $661/ton, this is also an all-time high. Both UAN28 and urea were 6% higher looking back a month, with UAN28 having an average price of $575/ton and urea at $873/ton, both all-time highs.

10-34-0 was 8% more expensive than it was a month ago. The starter fertilizer had an average price of $756/ton.

Three fertilizers had just slight price increases compared to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $836/ton, MAP $918/ton and potash $777/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.95/lb.N, anhydrous $0.80/lb.N, UAN28 $1.03/lb.N and UAN32 $1.03/lb.N.

Dow Jones reported last week that extremely high fertilizer prices will likely limit farmers' profitability in the 2022 growing season.

CoBank said while high fertilizer prices will eventually correct themselves, CoBank's analysis suggests that high fertilizer costs will persist into the spring 2022 planting season at a minimum.

"We base this conclusion in part on a recent farmer survey and university study, both of which place the odds of high prices persisting at 70% or above," CoBank said.

Farmers could also face other challenges in the next growing season. More drought issues could be seen, or severe storm systems could push across the U.S. and elsewhere, according to CoBank.

Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show all fertilizers have increased significantly, with several fertilizers having well over 100% price increases.

10-34-0 is now 65% more expensive, DAP is 84% higher, MAP is also 84% more expensive, potash is 129% higher, urea is 143% more expensive, UAN32 is 166% higher, UAN28 177% is more expensive and anhydrous is 208% higher compared to last year.

DTN surveys more than 300 retailers, gathering roughly 1,700 fertilizer price bids, 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/….

University of Missouri Extension offered tips to corn producers to improve their fertilizer efficiency with high phosphorus and potash prices. You can read it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Nov 30-Dec 4 2020	455	499	340	359
Dec 28-Jan 1 2021	475	537	366	367
Jan 25-29 2021	500	580	379	405
Feb 22-26 2021	605	661	408	464
Mar 22-26 2021	616	696	428	499
Apr 19-23 2021	627	703	432	510
May 17-21 2021	642	708	440	521
Jun 14-18 2021	661	719	454	531
Jul 12-16 2021	693	730	501	550
Aug 9-13 2021	695	755	563	555
Sep 6-10 2021	699	757	575	558
Oct 4-8 2021	736	829	675	653
Nov 1-5 2021	814	900	750	820
Nov 29-Dec 3 2021	836	918	777	873
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Nov 30-Dec 4 2020	459	427	208	249
Dec 28-Jan 1 2021	464	470	209	250
Jan 25-29 2021	489	489	220	258
Feb 22-26 2021	532	544	250	296
Mar 22-26 2021	599	684	335	376
Apr 19-23 2021	612	707	348	391
May 17-21 2021	620	716	361	407
Jun 14-18 2021	621	719	365	414
Jul 12-16 2021	624	725	368	418
Aug 9-13 2021	630	740	366	418
Sep 6-10 2021	631	750	371	422
Oct 4-8 2021	639	803	400	456
Nov 1-5 2021	702	1113	545	604
Nov 29-Dec 3 2021	756	1313	575	661

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

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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