DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continued to rise the second week of December 2021, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. There are signs, however, that the climb may be slowing somewhat.

Only three of the eight major fertilizers showed a significant move higher; DTN designates a substantial move as anything 5% or more. This is the first time since the third week of September 2021 that fewer than five fertilizers were appreciably more expensive.

Anhydrous led the way, up 16% from a month prior. The nitrogen fertilizer's average price was at $1,420/ton, which continues to be at its all-time high in the data DTN has collected since November 2008.

10-34-0 was 7% more expensive compared to last month. The starter fertilizer's average price was at $790/ton.

Urea was 5% more expensive compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $901/ton, which was also an all-time high.

The remaining five fertilizers had just slight price increases compared to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $858/ton, MAP $935/ton, potash $796/ton, UAN28 $579/ton and UAN32 $663/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.98/lb.N, anhydrous $0.87/lb.N, UAN28 $1.03/lb.N and UAN32 $1.04/lb.N.

Dow Jones reported last week frustrated farmers are having to adjust their spring planting plans because of the considerably higher fertilizer prices. This could lead some producers to shift acres to less fertilizer-intensive crops, while others plan to cut back their overall fertilizer use.

This fertilizer reduction could lead to lower yields and less grain production and translate into higher prices for farm commodities. This situation would further inflate prices of food staples such as cereal and cooking oil, as well as beef and other meats as producers rely on grains to feed livestock, Dow Jones reported.

"It's stressful," said Sean Elliot, a sixth-generation farmer in Iroquois County, Illinois. He plans to grow more soybeans in 2022 instead of planting his usual amount of corn acres, which uses more fertilizer.

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 71% more expensive, MAP is 79% higher, DAP is 84% more expensive, potash is 121% higher, urea is 149% more expensive, UAN32 is 162% higher, UAN28 175% is more expensive and anhydrous is 215% 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/….

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) reported farmers are struggling with skyrocketing fertilizer prices. You can read it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

The recent DTN Global Fertilizer Outlook series focused attention on what the world expectation could be in 2022. This series examined the supply and demand of nutrients globally as well as what direction fertilizer prices could go in the New Year.

Read the nitrogen outlook here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Read the phosphorus outlook here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Read the potash outlook here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Read what Mosaic says about global issues pushing prices up at: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
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
Nov 15-19 2021	825	911	769	859
Dec 13-17 2021	858	935	796	901
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
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
Nov 15-19 2021	739	1220	571	651
Dec 13-17 2021	790	1420	579	663

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

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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