DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Most average retail fertilizer prices continued to be higher than they were a month ago during the second week of November 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

For the second week in a row, prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were up from last month, while the price of the remaining fertilizer was down. Once again, no fertilizer saw a substantial price move in either direction, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The seven fertilizers that were slightly more expensive were DAP, which had an average price of $740 per ton, MAP $811/ton, urea $498/ton, 10-34-0 $607/ton, anhydrous $711/ton, UAN28 $323/ton and UAN32 $364/ton.

The one fertilizer that was slightly less expensive was potash, which had an average retail price of $443/ton, down $8 per ton from the previous month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.54/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

A new app called "Producer Connect" was launched this fall by the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts. It allows Nebraska farmers to more easily report annual levels of fertilizer application and, in turn, allows the association to more easily compile data and provide feedback.

The Natural Resources District (NRD) app shows farmers how their use of nitrogen fertilizer compares to their neighbors and how it compares with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) recommendations for application. It also details how much a farmer might save by reducing fertilizer use without cutting yields.

Seventeen of the state's 23 NRDs, mainly in the state's corn-growing areas, are participating in what is promoted as a proactive step by the state's farmers and fertilizer suppliers to ensure safe drinking water.

"It's a giant step," said Dean Edson, director of the NRD association, in addressing the issue of high nitrate levels in Nebraska's groundwater.

All fertilizers but two are lower compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% higher, while DAP is 3% more expensive than it was a year ago.

The remaining six fertilizers are lower than they were a year ago. Both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are now 10% less expensive; urea, potash and UAN32 are all 13% lower; and anhydrous is now 14% less expensive 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/….

Typical corn and soybean commercial farms in the upper Midwest will likely see financial losses for both 2024 and 2025, according to a recent DTN article. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

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