DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- All retail fertilizer prices were lower again in the third week of July 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. This is the second straight week prices for all eight major fertilizers were down.

While all eight of the major fertilizers were lower, only one was down significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. Anhydrous was 6% lower compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $713 per ton.

The remaining seven fertilizers were just slightly less expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $807 per ton, MAP $812/ton, potash $608/ton, urea $596/ton, 10-34-0 $717/ton, UAN28 $385/ton and UAN32 $457/ton.

Urea dropped below the $600-per-ton level for the first time since the third week of September 2021. The nitrogen fertilizer's price that week was $585 per ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.44/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/lb.N and UAN32 $0.71/lb.N.

Two weeks ago, we reported that striking workers at the Port of Vancouver forced Nutrien to limit the export capacity of a potash mine due to the strike. A prolonged strike could also affect other Nutrien potash mines. Workers went on strike July 1.

A Fertilizer Canada news release from July 14 stated the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have come to a tentative agreement to end the strike at Canadian West Coast ports (https://fertilizercanada.ca/…). Karen Proud, president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, said her organization appreciated the work from the Canadian federal government to end the strike and get goods, including fertilizer, flowing again.

"The strike underscores the importance of strengthening Canada's supply chains to prevent disruption to trade and protect Canada's reputation as a reliable and stable trading partner," Proud said.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. DAP and 10-34-0 are both 20% less expensive, MAP is 22% lower, urea is 29% less expensive, potash is 31% lower, UAN32 is 34% less expensive, UAN28 is 36% lower and anhydrous is 50% less expensive compared to a year prior.

DTN gathers fertilizer price bids from agriculture retailers each week to compile the DTN Fertilizer Index. DTN first began reporting data in November 2008.

In addition to national averages, MyDTN subscribers can access the full DTN Fertilizer Index, which includes state averages, here: https://www.mydtn.com/….

The consumption of fertilizers across the European Union (EU) decreased for the year 2021, according to Dow Jones. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Jul 18-22 2022	1007	1043	887	836
Aug 15-19 2022	978	1026	881	807
Sep 12-16 2022	952	1009	877	808
Oct 10-14 2022	925	986	863	824
Nov 7-11 2022	931	980	853	812
Dec 5-Dec 9 2022	920	950	819	784
Jan 2-Jan 6 2023	876	879	752	739
Jan 30-Feb 3 2023	847	862	704	698
Feb 27-Mar 3 2023	827	827	666	648
Mar 27-31 2023	818	810	644	626
Apr 24-28 2023	827	804	624	595
May 22-26 2023	834	832	624	623
June 19-23 2023	825	827	618	619
July 17-21 2023	807	812	608	596
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Jul 18-22 2022	894	1431	598	696
Aug 15-19 2022	878	1336	576	676
Sep 12-16 2022	861	1369	578	665
Oct 10-14 2022	759	1417	576	670
Nov 7-11 2022	758	1434	582	680
Dec 5-Dec 9 2022	751	1415	581	681
Jan 2-Jan 6 2023	754	1302	573	673
Jan 30-Feb 3 2023	754	1223	518	583
Feb 27-Mar 3 2023	741	1077	444	525
Mar 27-31 2023	741	1026	428	513
Apr 24-28 2023	740	928	426	508
May 22-26 2023	739	798	419	509
June 19-23 2023	734	755	402	471
July 17-21 2023	717	713	385	457

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

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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