DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends
Nitrogen Fertilizers Lead Pack of Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher at Start of December 2021
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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