All Major Fertilizer Prices Continue Higher for Fourth Consecutive Week

OMAHA (DTN) — Average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers were up from last month in the third week of April 2024, marking the fourth consecutive week all prices have been higher, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. 

Despite the increases, no fertilizer price was up significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The average price for DAP was $780 per ton, MAP $830/ton, potash $513/ton, urea $585/ton, 10-34-0 $641/ton, anhydrous $794/ton, UAN28 $364/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.64/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) announced a nationwide release on Monday, according to a blog post at the University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Crop News website (https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2024/04/frst-fertilizer-recommendation-support.html). FRST is a decision aid that provides an unbiased science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.

The project is a collaboration of over 100 soil science and agronomic professionals representing 50 universities, four divisions of USDA, several not-for-profit organizations and one private-sector partner. The University of Minnesota is represented on the project by Extension nutrient management specialist Daniel Kaiser.

Right now, FRST provides critical phosphorus and potassium soil test values. In the next phase, FRST will provide research-based phosphorus or potassium rate response information to assist farmers in selecting the minimum fertilizer rates expected to produce maximal crop yield.

For more information about FRST, visit www.soiltestFRST.org and click on “Tool.”

Most fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago, but one fertilizer is slightly higher. MAP is 2% higher looking back a year.

The remaining fertilizers are lower. DAP is 6% less expensive, urea is 7% lower, 10-34-0 13% less expensive, UAN28 is 14% lower, UAN32 is 18% less expensive and both potash and anhydrous are now 20% lower compared to a year prior.

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.

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

Follow him on social platform X @RussQuinnDTN.