Three Fertilizers Again Lead Prices Higher: UAN32, UAN28 and Urea

OMAHA (DTN) — According to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the last three days of April and first two days of May, nutrient costs continue to rise.

Three fertilizers had an extensive price increase compared to the prior month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way higher was UAN32. The liquid nitrogen fertilizer saw an increase of 12% compared to last month and had an average price of $474/ton.

UAN28 was 7% more expensive while urea was 6% higher. UAN28 had an average price of $387/ton while urea was at $596/ton.

The remaining five fertilizers had slightly higher prices. DAP had an average price of $785/ton, MAP $824/ton, potash $472/ton, 10-34-0 $666/ton and anhydrous $787/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

Last week, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) released its list of 2025-26 public policy priorities for working with the Trump administration, regulatory agencies and Congress. TFI’s priorities are broken down into eight key areas: tax and trade; energy and economic growth; environment; transportation; permitting, registration and designations; safety and security; innovation and farm bill reauthorization.

“With the 119th Congress underway, we’ve hit the ground running and are advocating strongly for policies that not only ensure the fertilizer industry is able to continue feeding the world sustainably but also support the farmers who grow our nation’s crops,” TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch said in a press release. “We’ve had tremendous success in having the critical role fertilizers play in our nation’s security recognized and we look forward to continuing our engagement with the administration and Congress.”

Strengthening the domestic fertilizer industry and pushing for policies that promote grower adoption of nutrient stewardship practice are not the only priorities of TFI. Transportation and infrastructure are also big issues for the group. Food security is national security and fertilizer availability is paramount to keeping us all fed, according to the release.

Five fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier. DAP is 1% higher, urea is 2% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 4% higher, UAN28 is 6% higher and UAN32 is 13% higher looking back to last year.

The remaining three fertilizers are lower. Both MAP and anhydrous are 1% less expensive while potash is 8% 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 recently published report by RaboResearch showed the affordability index for fertilizers are becoming negative or less affordable. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2025/04/30/uan28-uan32-lead-major-fertilizer.

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

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