Once Again, Most Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher

OMAHA (DTN) — Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third week of November 2024 continued to show mostly slight moves higher compared to last month.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher in price compared to last month. Once again, no fertilizer had a sizeable 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 $740/ton, MAP $811/ton, 10-34-0 $611/ton, anhydrous $718/ton, UAN28 $323/ton and UAN32 $364/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive than a month ago. Potash had an average price of $443/ton while urea was at $498/ton looking back to the prior month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.54/lb.N, anhydrous $0.44/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

If President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods happens, U.S. farmers are likely to see higher fertilizer prices, according to Dow Jones. This would come at a time when input prices are already high and affecting farmers’ profitability.

“A 25% tariff on Canadian imports could lift Corn Belt potash prices relative to the rest-of-world pricing,” said ADM Investor Services in a note. “Though the U.S. is import-dependent on all fertilizers, a 25% tariff would be acutely felt by the potash trade.”

The note reports potash pricing could increase about $80/ton to cover the levy all while farmers’ crop budgets are already near breakeven for the 2025 growing season.

Three fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% higher, DAP is 4% more expensive and 10-34-0 is 5% higher looking back to last year.

The remaining five fertilizers are lower. UAN28 is 5% less expensive, UAN32 is 10% lower, urea is 13% less expensive, and both potash and anhydrous are 14% 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.

A new app was launched recently by the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts to allow farmers to more easily report annual levels of fertilizer application. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/11/20/retail-fertilizer-prices-slightly.

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

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