Anhydrous, Urea Again Lead All Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower

OMAHA (DTN) — Average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers continued to be mostly lower during the first week of July 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

The price of two fertilizers declined significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. Just like last week, anhydrous was 7% less expensive compared to last month with an average price of $705 per ton. Urea was 6% lower than last month with an average price of $506 per ton.

Prices for the remaining six fertilizers were down just slightly from last month. DAP had an average price of $760 per ton, MAP $821/ton, potash $506/ton, 10-34-0 $642/ton, UAN28 $345/ton and UAN32 $389/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.55/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.62/lb.N and UAN32 $0.61/lb.N.

A train hauling anhydrous ammonia fertilizer, sulfur and methanol derailed late last week in east-central North Dakota, and several cars caught on fire, according to CNN. The train derailed near the small town of Bordulac, which is about 140 miles northwest of Fargo.

Foster County Emergency Management Director Andrew Kirking said the train was carrying “intact hazardous materials,” so authorities have been monitoring air quality near the incident. County officials believe between 25 to 30 cars derailed.

Crews are trying to bridge a gap over a bog to fight the fires and get heavy equipment in to move the train cars, he said. They used two pumping trailers to douse the burning cars.

Removing the train cars will be a slow process and will likely take a week or two, according to Kirking.

All residents within a 1-mile radius of the derailment were notified of the incident and potential hazards. Consequently, they issued a voluntary evacuation.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, Kirking said.

All fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% lower, anhydrous is 6% less expensive, DAP is 8% lower, 10-34-0 is 12% less expensive, UAN28 is 13% less expensive, UAN32 is 17% lower, and both urea and potash are 18% lower in price 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.

Egyptian nitrogen producer Abu Qir will resume urea production following the restoration of its natural gas supply, Argus Media reported. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/07/03/urea-anhydrous-lead-eight-retail-end.

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

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