DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- For the first time in several months, average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers were higher than they were a month ago in the second week of March 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Just one fertilizer saw a significant price move, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. Urea was 7% more expensive than last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $566 per ton.

The remaining seven fertilizers were all slightly higher in price. DAP had an average price of $771 per ton, MAP $817/ton, potash $505/ton, 10-34-0 $622/ton, anhydrous $789/ton, UAN28 $355/ton and UAN32 $397/ton.

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

A fertilizer spill in southwestern Iowa led to a fish kill in a nearby river, according to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources news release. The spill happened early March 11 at the New Cooperative facility near Red Oak in Montgomery County.

Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (UAN32%) was discharged into a drainage ditch and then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release was due to a valve left open on an aboveground storage tank overnight.

Due to low water levels in the river, the concentration of fertilizer is higher than during normal stream flows, causing some concern for all animals due to high nitrate and urea levels. Dead fish were observed in the river.

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine toxicologist Scott Radke recommends keeping all animals away from the river until the plume of contaminant moves out of the area. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

All fertilizers except two are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% lower, DAP is 7% less expensive, urea is 11% lower, 10-34-0 16% less expensive, UAN28 is 17% lower, potash is 23% less expensive, UAN32 are 24% lower and anhydrous is 26% 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/….

An early spring means farmers might be considering changes to their fertilizer plans, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
March 13-17 2023	825	821	655	638
April 10-14 2023	821	809	642	625
May 8-12 2023	828	826	627	664
June 5-9 2023	822	832	618	622
July 3-7 2023	824	827	619	615
July 31-Aug 4 2023	766	773	579	572
Aug. 28-Sept. 1 2023	730	736	518	563
Sept. 25-29 2023	703	777	508	570
Oct. 23-27 2023	713	799	507	574
Nov. 20-24 2023	713	811	512	570
Dec. 18-22 2023	721	815	517	537
Jan. 15-19 2024	727	810	510	530
Feb. 12-16 2024	739	809	504	529
March 11-15 2024	771	817	505	566
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
March 13- 17 2023	740	1059	428	521
April 10-14 2023	740	1003	427	507
May 8-12 2023	739	910	423	517
June 5-9 2023	739	787	411	478
July 3-7 2023	730	752	396	466
July 31-Aug. 4 2023	713	638	378	411
Aug. 28-Sept. 1 2023	607	680	355	391
Sept. 25-29 2023	610	767	353	413
Oct. 23-27 2023	610	825	360	418
Nov. 20-24 2023	583	833	338	402
Dec. 18-22 2023	599	807	342	402
Jan. 15-19 2024	601	770	334	391
Feb. 12-16 2024	610	771	336	392
March 11-15 2024	622	789	355	397

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

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