DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Most retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN cooled off a bit during the first week in February, as five of the eight fertilizers reported small price drops.

The price of 10-34-0 was the only fertilizer tracked by DTN to record a price increase compared to one week ago, rising by about 1% to $826 per ton. The fertilizer hit the $800-per-ton level for the first since March 2012 two weeks ago.

Coming off an all-time record-high price, anhydrous dropped from $1,492 to $1,487 per ton in this week's update.

Four other fertilizers reporting small price drops were led by urea, falling from $910/ton last week to $905 for this update; MAP from $936/ton to $933; potash from $814/ton to $813; and UAN28 from $601/ton to $600. UAN32 was the only fertilizer tracked by DTN to remain unchanged at $699/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.98/lb.N, anhydrous $0.91/lb.N, UAN28 $1.07/lb.N and UAN32 $1.09/lb.N.

The Associated Press reported on Monday that many residents near the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant fire in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have been allowed to return home.

The AP said weekend rains helped to largely dowse the fire that broke out on Jan. 31, reducing the risk of explosion from an estimated 600 tons of ammonium nitrate stored on-site.

Currently, ammonium nitrate is not subject to the federal risk management plan rule, which is intended to prevent chemical disasters.

The Biden administration is continuing a review of RMP rules. Last summer, the EPA held public comment listening sessions.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board called for stronger regulation of ammonium nitrate, https://www.csb.gov/…. A preliminary report it issued after the 2013 West Fertilizer Co. AN explosion in West, Texas, said the fertilizer industry had taken steps to eliminate the risk of accidental explosion of ammonium nitrate.

The West explosion killed 15 first-responders and severely damaged the town, https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

MAP is now 55% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 65% higher, DAP is 58% more expensive, potash is 109% higher, urea is 111% more expensive, UAN32 is 157% higher, UAN28 151% is more expensive and anhydrous is 193% 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/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Feb 1-5 2021	554	601	389	429
Mar 1-5 2021	609	673	416	474
Mar 29-Apr 2 2021	618	697	429	502
Apr 26-30 2021	629	703	433	513
May 24-28 2021	652	709	443	523
Jun 21-25 2021	670	720	469	541
Jul 19-23 2021	695	750	543	553
Aug 16-20 2021	695	755	564	556
Sep 13-17 2021	702	776	598	572
Oct 11-15 2021	798	860	710	719
Nov 8-12 2021	821	906	762	832
Dec 6-10 2021	840	919	778	887
Jan 3-7 2022	863	931	807	913
Jan 31-Feb 4 2022	877	933	813	905
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Feb 1-5 2021	502	507	239	272
Mar 1-5 2021	560	560	254	304
Mar 29-Apr 2 2021	599	685	340	377
Apr 26-30 2021	613	710	350	391
May 24-28 2021	619	719	361	407
Jun 21-25 2021	625	724	366	420
Jul 19-23 2021	632	736	365	419
Aug 16-20 2021	631	743	369	420
Sep 13-17 2021	632	762	381	428
Oct 11-15 2021	654	873	442	488
Nov 8-12 2021	719	1162	566	614
Dec 6-10 2021	756	1372	577	661
Jan 3-7 2022	795	1430	584	679
Jan 31-Feb 4 2022	826	1487	600	699

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

Follow him on Twitter @DTNeeley

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