DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Three fertilizers saw significant retail price moves in opposite directions during the second week of October 2025, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Once again, prices for half of the eight major fertilizers were up from last month and the other half were down. Three fertilizers had sizeable price moves, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more, with two of those moves higher and the third lower.

The two fertilizers with significantly higher prices were DAP and anhydrous. DAP was 7% more expensive compared to last month, with an average price of $921 per ton. Anhydrous was again 6% higher compared to last month, with an average price of $814/ton.

Prices for two other fertilizers were slightly higher. MAP had an average price of $922/ton, and UAN28 was $419/ton.

Urea led the four fertilizers with lower prices than last month. The nitrogen fertilizer was 5% less expensive compared to last month with an average price of $601/ton.

Prices for the three remaining fertilizers were slightly lower than last month. Potash had an average price of $485/ton, 10-34-0 $666/ton and UAN32 $466/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.73/lb.N.

In a University of Illinois Extension webinar titled "Management Decisions for 2026," Extension ag economists discussed the nutrient situation facing farmers in 2026. High fertilizer costs are a major consideration for growers as they prepare their nutrient plans for the next growing season.

One of the most basic ways to make sure nutrients are applied as needed is to conduct a soil test. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois professor in farm management, said in most cases, farmers could limit phosphorus (P) and potash (K) applications.

Research shows there is no yield advantage when the Bray soil test for P shows the soil already has high levels of the nutrient, he said.

The same can be said for potash.

"And there is also no yield advantage with soil test levels high at 360 to 400 lbs./acre of potash," he said.

Nick Paulson, University of Illinois professor in farm management, said there are some application timing practices that can also help crop producers be more efficient.

Fall application of nitrogen provides farmers with some flexibility but also some risk of nitrogen losses. Spring applications, on the other hand, can reduce nutrient losses during the busy fieldwork season, he said.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier.

The last holdout, potash, is now 8% higher. 10-34-0 is 13% more expensive, MAP is 15% higher, anhydrous is 18% more expensive, urea is 24% higher, DAP is 25% more expensive and both UAN28 and UAN32 are 33% higher looking back 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/….

A new carbon tax could raise fertilizer costs in the European Union (EU) for the 2026 growing season. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

DRY
Date Range	DAP	MAP	POTASH	UREA
Oct 7-11 2024	735	805	448	485
Nov 4-8 2024	739	810	444	496
Dec 2-6 2024	739	816	443	496
Dec 30-Jan 3 2025	739	809	444	489
Jan 27-31 2025	743	808	436	514
Feb 24-28 2025	764	810	446	546
Mar 24-28 2025	768	819	462	565
Apr 21-25 2025	784	821	468	579
May 19-23 2025	798	827	470	652
June 16-20 2025	807	833	474	655
July 14-18 2025	811	847	481	654
Aug 11-15 2025	825	895	484	642
Sep 8-12 2025	862	917	488	631
Oct 6-10 2025	921	922	485	601
LIQUID
Date Range	10-34-0	ANHYD	UAN28	UAN32
Oct 7-11 2024	590	688	316	350
Nov 4-8 2024	607	711	322	364
Dec 2-6 2024	611	719	324	363
Dec 30-Jan 3 2025	613	734	324	364
Jan 27-31 2025	631	738	325	383
Feb 24-28 2025	642	751	350	397
Mar 24-28 2025	650	770	360	423
Apr 21-25 2025	656	781	381	449
May 19-23 2025	666	779	414	494
June 16-20 2025	669	773	417	495
July 14-18 2025	672	769	417	499
Aug 11-15 2025	669	762	421	489
Sep 8-12 2025	667	768	414	482
Oct 6-10 2025	666	814	419	466

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

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