DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) — Retail fertilizer prices continue to be mixed, about half lower and half higher than last month, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the fourth week of August 2025.

For the fourth week in a row, prices of four fertilizers were slightly higher compared to last month while the other four were a bit lower. No fertilizer was higher or lower a notable amount. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The fertilizers with slightly higher prices were DAP, which had an average price of $853/ton; MAP $910/ton; potash $485/ton; and anhydrous $765/ton.

Four fertilizers were slightly lower looking back to the prior month. Urea had an average price of $632/ton; 10-34-0 $667/ton; UAN28 $417/ton; and UAN32 $482/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.69/lb.N; anhydrous $0.47/lb.N; UAN28 $0.75/lb.N; and UAN32 $0.75/lb.N.

Ehsan Ghane from Michigan State University recently wrote that applying phosphorous when the soil test shows already high levels of the nutrient does not boost profit and is bad for the environment.

His article titled “No Payoff From High Soil Test Phosphorus: Save Fertilizer and Protect Water Quality” stated research shows there is no economic advantage to maintaining high to very high soil test phosphorus levels in corn and soybean production. A greater return on investment comes from fertilizing when soil test phosphorus is in the low to medium range.

“Maintaining soil test phosphorus at or slightly above the critical level ensures productivity without the excess risk of nutrient loss,” Ghane wrote.

With Lake Erie in the region, summer algal blooms due to excessive phosphorus continue to be a major issue. Recent research highlights the role of “legacy phosphorus” in these blooms, which is phosphorus that has accumulated over time.

These excessive levels of phosphorus fuel these algal blooms in water sources, according to the article.

The article came be viewed here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/no-payoff-from-high-soil-test-phosphorus-save-fertilizer-and-protect-water-quality.

Seven fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. 10-34-0 is 4% higher, MAP is 12% more expensive, anhydrous is 13% higher, DAP is 15% more expensive, UAN28 is 27% higher, urea is 29% more expensive and UAN32 is 32% more expensive looking back to last year.

The remaining fertilizer continues to be lower. Potash is 1% 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.

Brazil Potash Corp recently announced the execution of a definitive commercial offtake agreement. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2025/08/27/half-fertilizer-prices-higher-half.

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

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