DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

Fertilizer Prices Continue to Hold Steady

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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The average retail price of 10-34-0 was slightly lower the second week of May 2017 compared to a month earlier at $437 per ton. The price of 10-34-0 is currently 22% lower than a year ago. (DTN chart)

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices continued to hold steady the second week of May 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

Of the eight major fertilizers, five were slightly lower in price compared to a month earlier. These were DAP, urea, 10-34-0, UAN28 and UAN32. DAP had an average price of $437 per ton, urea $351/ton, 10-34-0 $437/ton, UAN28 $247/ton and UAN32 $280/ton.

The remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher in price from last month. MAP had an average price of $466/ton, potash $340/ton and anhydrous $508/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.38/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Corn planting has mostly wrapped up in many Corn Belt locations. Bob Spratt, manager of LeRoy Fertilizer Services in LeRoy, Illinois, said most of the corn is planted in central Illinois and farmers there are now working on planting soybeans.

Wet weather this planting season has slowed fieldwork some and could also have a negative effect on the recently planted corn, he said.

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"We escaped the heavier rains the past couple of weeks, and I would say the lack of sun and warmth has hurt the crop more than too much water," Spratt told DTN.

Spratt said that after a run higher in mid-winter, retail fertilizer prices have flattened out and have remained that way for several months now. As for what direction fertilizer prices could be headed next, he said the answer is not very clear.

"I am really in the dark about (fertilizer price) direction," he said. "If someone can figure out what the price of corn is going to be, that's the direction fertilizer will go."

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Half of the eight major fertilizers are still double digits lower.

10-34-0 is 22% lower from a year ago, anhydrous is 14% less expensive, UAN32 is 13% lower and UAN28 is 10% less expensive. Urea is 9% lower, DAP is 8% less expensive and both potash and MAP are 7% lower compared to year earlier.

DTN collects roughly 1,700 retail fertilizer bids from 310 retailer locations weekly. Not all fertilizer prices change each week. Prices are subject to change at any time.

DTN Pro Grains subscribers can find current retail fertilizer price in the DTN Fertilizer Index on the Fertilizer page under Farm Business.

Retail fertilizer charts dating back to 2010 are available in the DTN fertilizer segment. The charts included cost of N/lb., DAP, MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32.

DTN's average of retail fertilizer prices from a month earlier ($ per ton):

DRY
Date Range DAP MAP POTASH UREA
May 9-13 2016 476 502 366 385
June 6-10 2016 470 498 359 370
July 4-8 2016 469 496 359 361
Aug 1-5 2016 459 488 346 349
Aug 29-Sept 2 2016 449 464 327 326
Sept 26-30 2016 440 458 317 322
Oct 24-28 2016 436 451 313 317
Nov 21-25 2016 436 445 316 328
Dec 19-23 2016 432 437 321 336
Jan 16-20 2017 430 443 324 346
Feb 13-17 2017 432 450 332 357
Mar 13-17 2017 443 462 337 360
Apr 10-13 2017 437 466 338 353
May 8-12 2017 437 466 340 351
LIQUID
Date Range 10-34-0 ANHYD UAN28 UAN32
May 9-13 2016 561 588 274 321
June 6-10 2016 556 569 267 310
July 4-8 2016 546 554 261 304
Aug 1-5 2016 548 552 254 307
Aug 29-Sept 2 2016 493 509 233 275
Sept 26-30 2016 465 486 223 271
Oct 24-28 2016 452 472 224 262
Nov 21-25 2016 445 465 218 256
Dec 19-23 2016 442 468 217 255
Jan 16-20 2017 437 478 235 267
Feb 13-17 2017 440 491 240 276
Mar 13-17 2017 441 507 247 280
Apr 10-13 2017 441 505 247 280
May 8-12 2017 437 508 247 280

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

Follow Russ Quinn on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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Russ Quinn