5 Fertilizers Significantly More Expensive, Urea Up 34% From Month Ago

OMAHA (DTN) — Retail fertilizer prices continue to jump, in some cases by double-digits — one of them by more than 30%. According to prices tracked by DTN for the last week of March 2026, all eight of the major fertilizers are higher compared to last month for the second week in a row.

Five of the eight major fertilizers had considerable price increases compared to prior month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Urea led the way higher again as the nitrogen fertilizer was a whopping 34% higher compared to last month. The liquid fertilizer had an average price of $838/ton.

Both UAN28 and UAN32 were 21% higher than a month ago. UAN28 had an average price of $496/ton, while UAN32 was at $564/ton.

Anhydrous was 18% higher than the prior month and had an average price of $1,060/ton. 10-34-0 was 8% more expensive than last month and had an average price of $714/ton.

The remaining three nutrients were slightly higher in price compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $863/ton, MAP was $917/ton and potash $489/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.91/lb.N, anhydrous $0.65/lb.N, UAN28 $0.89/lb.N and UAN32 $0.88/lb.N.

In recent weeks, there has been much discussion about how much fertilizer farmers have already bought as both wholesale and retail nutrient prices continue to skyrocket. USDA Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has stated farmers have 80% of their nutrients locked in, while several others have stated that number might be much lower.

So, DTN ran an unscientific poll among DTN subscribers from March 18-28 and asked the question, “As spring planting approaches, are you able to get the fertilizer you need this season amid rising prices and potential shortages tied to the Iran War?”

Choice 1 was “Yes — I preordered and have what I need in storage.”

Choice 2 was “Mostly — I have some fertilizer secured but I’m still trying to lock in the rest.”

Choice 3 was “I can get it, but the price increase is a serious financial strain.”

Choice 4 was “No — I have not been able to secure the fertilizer I need for spring planting.”

Choice 5 was “I’m still deciding on my crop mix (corn vs. soybeans) and haven’t fully committed to a fertilizer order yet.”

With about 100 respondents, Choice 1 led the way with the most responses; 65% responded with this option. Choices 2 and 3 were next with 14% of the responses. Choice 5 was next with 5% of the vote and Choice 4 was 2%.

So perhaps Rollins was a bit high with her estimate of farmers pre-purchasing their fertilizer. But obviously a higher percentage of crop producers did lock in their fertilizer needs before the Iran war began.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier by the following amounts: potash, 6%; 10-34-0, 10%; MAP and DAP, 12%; UAN32, 34%; anhydrous and UAN28, 38%; and urea, 48%.

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/agriculture/web/ag/markets/fuels-fertilizers#!/fertilizers.

With anhydrous over $1,000/ton, we look back at the DTN data at the previous high prices with the nitrogen fertilizer. You can read about here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2026/04/01/4-fertilizer-prices-rise-double-1.

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

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