DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- For the first time in several months, retail fertilizer prices appear to be softening somewhat. Prices for half of the eight major fertilizers were slightly lower the fourth week of February 2019 compared to the previous month, according to fertilizer sellers surveyed by DTN.

However, although prices for half of fertilizers were down, none were significantly lower. DAP had an average price of $511 per ton, MAP $535/ton, urea $404/ton and UAN28 $270/ton.

The remaining fertilizers were slightly higher compared to the prior month. Potash had an average price of $386/ton, 10-34-0 $470/ton, anhydrous $596/ton and UAN32 $318/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.36/lb.N, UAN28 $0.48/lb.N and UAN32 $0.50/lb.N.

The fertilizer industry operates in a global market, and U.S.-based fertilizer companies have moved, in recent years, to expand into other areas of the world. One such company is The Mosaic Company.

The company is seeing huge benefits after acquiring Vale Fertilizantes, a Brazilian fertilizer company, last year. Mosaic saw an 86% jump in fourth-quarter sales in 2018 compared to year-ago levels, according to Dow Jones news service.

The bump from Brazil helped to counter less-positive performance for the fertilizer company. This included a decline in the company's phosphate sales volumes, which dropped because of an idled Florida plant and poor fall weather in North America limiting farmers' fall fertilizer applications, according to the company.

The good news in Brazil is expected to continue for the company. Mosaic CEO Joc O'Rourke cited "accelerated synergy capture" between Mosaic and Vale Fertilizantes.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices rising. MAP is 8% more expensive, both DAP and potash are 11% higher, urea is 12% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 13% higher, UAN32 is 14% more expensive, UAN28 is 16% higher and anhydrous is now 20% more expensive compared to last year.

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.

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Feb 26-Mar 2 2018	461	497	346	361
Mar 26-30 2018	470	506	350	370
Apr 23-27 2018	485	504	353	367
May 21-25 2018	483	504	354	364
Jun 18-22 2018	485	505	354	364
Jul 16-20 2018	486	505	354	366
Aug 13-17 2018	487	508	356	363
Sep 10-14 2018	491	518	362	380
Oct 8-12 2018	501	523	365	393
Nov 5-9 2018	506	529	368	407
Dec 3-7 2018	501	529	369	410
Dec 31-Jan 4 2019	508	533	381	407
Jan 28-Feb 1 2019	513	536	384	407
Feb 25-Mar 01 2019	511	535	386	404
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Feb 26-Mar 2 2018	416	496	233	279
Mar 26-30 2018	425	507	237	272
Apr 23-27 2018	431	507	241	277
May 21-25 2018	439	504	241	276
Jun 18-22 2018	440	503	242	277
Jul 16-20 2018	442	503	243	279
Aug 13-17 2018	446	481	233	271
Sep 10-14 2018	449	487	238	278
Oct 8-12 2018	452	488	238	280
Nov 5-9 2018	458	517	245	287
Dec 3-7 2018	457	524	249	293
Dec 31-Jan 4 2019	460	571	267	304
Jan 28-Feb 1 2019	468	585	271	313
Feb 25-Mar 01 2019	470	596	270	318

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

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

(AG/SK)

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