Majority of Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher

OMAHA (DTN) — Retail fertilizer prices are showing some strength as harvest wraps up across the Corn Belt, according to prices tracked by DTN for the last week of October 2024.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher in price compared to last month. Once again, no fertilizer had a noticeable price increase or decline. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The six slightly higher fertilizers are DAP, which had an average price of $739/ton, MAP $810/ton, urea $497/ton, 10-34-0 $604/ton, anhydrous $706/ton and UAN32 $363/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive than a month ago. Potash had an average price of $446/ton while UAN28 was at $317/ton looking back to the prior month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.53/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.57/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

All fertilizers but two are lower compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% higher while DAP is 4% more expensive looking back to last year.

The remaining six fertilizers are lower. 10-34-0 is 1% lower, potash and UAN28 are both 12% less expensive, both urea and UAN32 are 13% lower and anhydrous is 15% lower 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/agriculture/web/ag/markets/fuels-fertilizers#!/fertilizers.

Another work stoppage at Canadian West Coast ports could have a negative impact on fertilizer especially potash, according to a press release from Fertilizer Canada Tuesday (https://fertilizercanada.ca/news-events/news/potash-fertilizer-industry-severely-impacted-by-west-coast-ports-work-stoppage-says-fertilizer-canada/).

Canadian West Coast ports handle more than 21,000 metric tons (mt) of potash daily for export to global markets and each day of a shutdown will result in up to $9.7 million (Canadian) in lost sales revenue. Fertilizer Canada urges the federal government to act swiftly to resolve the work stoppage, using all available tools to prevent further harm to Canada’s economy.

“Fertilizer is essential to food security, and this stoppage will have a devasting impact on Canada’s potash industry,” Karen Proud, president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, said in a statement. “If we cannot supply them with Canadian-produced fertilizer, they will look to other countries, such as Russia and Belarus, who operate with far fewer environmental, safety and ethical protections.”

This stoppage is compounded by ongoing labor disruptions at the Port of Montreal, underscoring the need to for long-term solutions to stabilize Canada’s supply chains. Over the past six years, supply chain disruptions have cost the fertilizer industry nearly $1 billion (Canadian) in estimated lost sales revenue.

Rainfall from Hurricane Milton caused a water collection system to breach at the Tampa, Florida-based Mosaic facility in Riverview, likely spilling an unknown amount of polluted water into Tampa Bay, according to an article from the Tampa Bay Times. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/10/30/major-retail-fertilizer-prices-mixed.

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

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