DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends
Anhydrous Price Down Slightly; Urea, UAN28, UAN32 Up Significantly for Third Week
OMAHA (DTN) -- For the third consecutive week, average retail prices for three fertilizers led prices for seven of the major fertilizers higher. But for the first time in 12 weeks, the price of one fertilizer was slightly lower than last month during the second week of May, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.
Average retail prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month. Prices for three of those were significantly higher, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.
Leading the way higher again was the price of urea, which was up 9% from last month at $469 per ton. Both UAN28 and UAN32 were 8% more expensive than last month. UAN28 had an average price of $412 per ton, while UAN32 was $484 per ton.
The prices of four other fertilizers were up just slightly from last month. DAP had an average price of $794 per ton, MAP $825/ton, potash $469/ton and 10-34-0 $666/ton.
For the first time since the last week of February 2025, the price of one fertilizer was down from the prior month. Anhydrous had an average price of $777/ton, down from $781/ton the second week of April.
P[L1] D[0x0] M[300x250] OOP[F] ADUNIT[] T[]
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.68/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.74/lb.N and UAN32 $0.76/lb.N.
Researchers around the world are exploring innovative fertilizer technologies while minimizing environmental impacts, which could change crop nutrition, according to an article from Fertilizer Daily. However, research gaps exist and must be addressed before widespread adoption.
Among the new technology is nano-fertilizers. These are made up of ultra-small particles designed to enhance nutrient uptake or control release and have shown positive effects in laboratory settings. However, researchers caution that the behavior of nano-fertilizers in actual soil environments remains poorly understood, and more research needs to be completed.
"These novel fertilizers have potential to improve nutrient use efficiency, but the science is still catching up with marketplace claims," Allison Thomson, lead author of a review of a recent study, told Fertilizer Daily.
The prices of five fertilizers are now higher compared to one year ago. DAP is 1% higher, 10-34-0 is 4% more expensive, both urea and UAN28 are 13% higher and UAN32 is 16% higher looking back to last year.
The remaining three fertilizers are lower. MAP is 1% lower, anhydrous is 2% less expensive and potash is 8% lower compared to last year.
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/….
Farmers could be overspending on their fertilizer needs, according to a recent University of Minnesota Extension article. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….
| DRY | ||||
| Date Range | DAP | MAP | POTASH | UREA |
| May 13-17 2024 | 789 | 829 | 511 | 556 |
| Jun 10-14 2024 | 779 | 827 | 507 | 525 |
| Jul 8-12 2024 | 758 | 822 | 504 | 507 |
| Aug 5-9 2024 | 744 | 818 | 503 | 504 |
| Sep 2-6 2024 | 739 | 813 | 486 | 490 |
| Sep 30-Oct 4 2024 | 736 | 805 | 449 | 485 |
| Oct 28-Nov 1 2024 | 739 | 810 | 446 | 497 |
| Nov 25-29 2024 | 740 | 811 | 443 | 498 |
| Dec 23-27 2024 | 739 | 810 | 444 | 489 |
| Jan 20-24 2025 | 739 | 809 | 443 | 492 |
| Feb 17-21 2025 | 762 | 809 | 444 | 543 |
| Mar 17-21 2025 | 766 | 810 | 454 | 556 |
| Apr 14-18 2025 | 781 | 822 | 467 | 577 |
| May 12-16 2025 | 794 | 825 | 469 | 630 |
| LIQUID | ||||
| Date Range | 10-34-0 | ANHYD | UAN28 | UAN32 |
| May 13-17 2024 | 642 | 792 | 364 | 418 |
| Jun 10-14 2024 | 642 | 737 | 352 | 400 |
| Jul 8-12 2024 | 642 | 696 | 339 | 378 |
| Aug 5-9 2024 | 640 | 675 | 338 | 376 |
| Sep 2-6 2024 | 638 | 676 | 327 | 364 |
| Sep 30-Oct 4 2024 | 590 | 687 | 317 | 350 |
| Oct 28-Nov 1 2024 | 604 | 706 | 317 | 363 |
| Nov 25-29 2024 | 611 | 718 | 323 | 364 |
| Dec 23-27 2024 | 614 | 729 | 326 | 365 |
| Jan 20-24 2025 | 616 | 737 | 326 | 367 |
| Feb 17-21 2025 | 638 | 747 | 348 | 394 |
| Mar 17-21 2025 | 649 | 761 | 356 | 412 |
| Apr 14-18 2025 | 656 | 781 | 380 | 448 |
| May 12-16 2025 | 666 | 777 | 412 | 484 |
Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com
Follow him on social platform X @RussQuinnDTN
(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.
