DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continued to be evenly split the first week of October 2023 with half lower and half higher compared to last month, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Prices for four of the eight major fertilizers were higher than last month while the other four were lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Anhydrous was 14% higher compared to last month with an average price of $790 per ton. Once again, both MAP and UAN32 were 6% more expensive compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $791/ton, while UAN32 was $414/ton.

One fertilizer was just slightly higher in price compared to last month. Urea had an average price of $573/ton.

Prices for the other four fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $705/ton, potash $508/ton, 10-34-0 $609/ton and UAN28 $354/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

A new fertilizer production facility is being constructed in Grand Island, Nebraska, according to News Channel Nebraska. GMCO Growth Technologies broke ground on the plant in June, and it is expected to be completed by June 2024.

Right now, storage tanks and production facility are being constructed.

The facility will produce Nitro-Mag, which lead agronomist Marcus Dennis said is the first real innovation in fertilizer in more than 25 years. The product provides plants with a form of nitrogen they can assimilate directly, according to Dennis.

"It has a lot of benefits, it's more efficient in the plant," Dennis said. "It has been shown to add yield, and it adds bigger roots."

Initially, the plant will employ four people, with plans to double the staff in three years. For now, the product is being produced at a temporary location in Hastings, Nebraska.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 21% lower, DAP is 25% less expensive, 10-34-0 is 25% lower, urea is 31% less expensive, both UAN28 and UAN32 are 37% lower, potash is 42% lower and anhydrous is 43% 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/….

Much price variability can be seen in nitrogen prices over the last 15 years, according to an article from the University of Illinois Extension Farmdoc Daily. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Oct 3-7 2022	934	997	869	826
Oct 31-Nov 4 2022	930	981	857	826
Nov 28-Dec 2 2022	926	960	831	795
Dec 26-Dec 30 2022	885	891	765	751
Jan 23-Jan 27 2023	855	865	714	708
Feb 20-Feb 24 2023	836	834	673	666
Mar 20-Mar 24 2023	821	812	645	627
Apr 17-21 2023	826	812	643	626
May 15-19 2023	829	831	627	619
June 12-16 2023	823	832	621	624
July 10-14 2023	811	823	614	609
Aug 7-Aug 11 2023	758	764	566	576
Sep 4-8 2023	738	745	518	563
Oct 2-6 2023	705	791	508	573
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Oct 3-7 2022	813	1390	565	652
Oct 31-Nov 4 2022	759	1426	583	680
Nov 28-Dec 2 2022	753	1416	583	681
Dec 26-Dec 30 2022	751	1325	573	679
Jan 23-Jan 27 2023	754	1237	523	630
Feb 20-Feb 24 2023	741	1124	470	554
Mar 20-Mar 24 2023	740	1036	429	514
Apr 17-21 2023	740	995	423	507
May 15-19 2023	739	895	421	514
June 12-16 2023	737	781	406	476
July 10-14 2023	730	734	393	465
Aug 7-Aug 11 2023	714	634	369	400
Sep 4-8 2023	611	693	356	390
Oct 2-6 2023	609	790	354	414

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

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