OMAHA (DTN) -- Most average retail fertilizer prices were higher than last month during the fourth full week of January 2025, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the first time in 17 weeks, two fertilizers saw significant price increases, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.
Prices for six of the eight main fertilizers were higher. And it was the first time since the first week of October 2024 that the price of any fertilizer has increased significantly. Urea was 5% higher compared to last month with an average price of $514 per ton, while UAN32 was also 5% more expensive with an average price of $383/ton.
Four other fertilizers were slightly more expensive than last month. DAP had an average price of $743, 10-34-0 $631/ton, anhydrous $738/ton and UAN28 $325/ton.
Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive than a month ago. MAP had an average price of $808/ton, while potash was at $436/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.56/lb.N, anhydrous $0.45/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.60/lb.N.
While potash continues to be a nutrient with the largest decline in price from last year, the fertilizer's lower price could be in jeopardy.
Potential tariffs on Canadian products initially announced by the Trump administration this past weekend could have increased the cost of Canadian potash by 25%, although there was some debate over whether Canadian fertilizer might have been exempt from the tariffs. The U.S. has delayed the tariffs for 30 days following negotiations between the U.S. and Canada on Monday.
Before the tariffs were delayed, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) on Sunday issued a news release asking the Trump administration to exempt Canadian potash. The U.S. relies on imports for over 95% of its potash fertilizer needs, with about 90% of that coming from Canada.
TFI on Monday said in another news release that they welcome the announcement from the Trump administration to pause tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada.
"Open markets and fair competition are integral to the continued success of the U.S. agricultural sector and vital for fertilizer markets to provide the crop nutrients necessary to feed a growing world," TFI stated in the release.
Despite the fact that tariffs were avoided at least for a month, potash prices are already moving higher, according to one fertilizer analyst.
Josh Linville, StoneX vice-president, fertilizers, told DTN on Monday that last week, new potash contracts were being written differently. The wording of the contracts was something to the effect of "the price is x 'plus tariffs.'"
A potential trade war often has economic consequences, but it could be especially harmful to farmers right before the start of the growing season in North America, Linville said.
"We really don't have a lot of time to pivot to another potash source," he said.
With tariffs on hold for at least a month, we will see what happens to potash prices in early March.
Two fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year ago. DAP is 1% higher, while 10-34-0 is 4% more expensive.
The remaining six fertilizers are lower: MAP by 1%, UAN32 2%, urea and UAN28 both 3%, anhydrous 4% and potash by 14% 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/….
Corn producers should evaluate their operation for opportunities to reduce fertilizer application in 2025 without reducing yield, according to the University of Missouri Extension. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….
DRY |
Date Range |
DAP |
MAP |
POTASH |
UREA |
Jan 29-Feb 2 2024 |
735 |
809 |
509 |
527 |
Feb 26-Mar 1 2024 |
756 |
812 |
505 |
536 |
Mar 25-29 2024 |
779 |
827 |
513 |
576 |
Apr 22-26 2024 |
781 |
830 |
513 |
585 |
May 20-24 2024 |
783 |
829 |
509 |
555 |
Jun 17-21 2024 |
778 |
827 |
507 |
510 |
Jul 15-19 2024 |
756 |
821 |
503 |
506 |
Aug 12-16 2024 |
745 |
817 |
501 |
500 |
Sep 9-13 2024 |
735 |
808 |
464 |
489 |
Oct 7-11 2024 |
735 |
805 |
448 |
485 |
Nov 4-8 2024 |
739 |
810 |
444 |
496 |
Dec 2-6 2024 |
739 |
816 |
443 |
496 |
Dec 30-Jan 3 2025 |
739 |
809 |
444 |
489 |
Jan 27-31 2025 |
743 |
808 |
436 |
514 |
|
|
|
|
|
LIQUID |
Date Range |
10-34-0 |
ANHYD |
UAN28 |
UAN32 |
Jan 29-Feb 2 2024 |
610 |
770 |
334 |
390 |
Feb 26-Mar 1 2024 |
615 |
769 |
341 |
394 |
Mar 25-29 2024 |
632 |
794 |
360 |
404 |
Apr 22-26 2024 |
641 |
794 |
364 |
418 |
May 20-24 2024 |
642 |
781 |
359 |
418 |
Jun 17-21 2024 |
642 |
705 |
350 |
389 |
Jul 15-19 2024 |
642 |
696 |
339 |
377 |
Aug 12-16 2024 |
640 |
678 |
337 |
376 |
Sep 9-13 2024 |
596 |
684 |
329 |
351 |
Oct 7-11 2024 |
590 |
688 |
316 |
350 |
Nov 4-8 2024 |
607 |
711 |
322 |
364 |
Dec 2-6 2024 |
611 |
719 |
324 |
363 |
Dec 30-Jan 3 2025 |
613 |
734 |
324 |
364 |
Jan 27-31 2025 |
631 |
738 |
325 |
383 |
Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com
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