DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

OMAHA (DTN) -- Retail fertilizer prices remain flat compared to last month, with the average price of all eight major fertilizers moving by $3/ton or less, according to prices tracked by DTN for the third week of April 2020.

Six fertilizers were higher in price compared to last month, but none of them were up a significant amount, which DTN considers 5% or more. DAP has an average price of $410/ton, up $1; urea $385/ton, up $3; 10-34-0 $468/ton, up $2; anhydrous $492/ton, $1; UAN28 $236/ton, up $1; and UAN32 $279/ton, up $1.

The remaining two fertilizers had a slightly lower price with MAP averaging $433/ton, down $1, and potash $370/ton, down fractionally from last month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.42/lb.N, anhydrous $0.30/lb.N, UAN28 $0.42/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Last week, we reported that Australian fertilizer manufacturer Incitec Pivot Ltd. Was pulling out a potential sale of its Asia Pacific fertilizer business amid the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have since learned there's perhaps yet another reason why the deal was called off.

Morgan Stanley stated Incitec expects a better outlook for fertilizer demand, which has reduced risks to the company's balance sheet, Dow Jones reported. Not everything is positive for the company, however, as Morgan Stanley also pointed out the company's financial performance is higher than the company's peers.

"Upward movement in key fertilizer prices, an improved domestic season and lower Australian dollar/U.S. dollar provide some tailwinds for Incitec," said Morgan Stanley.

Retail fertilizers are now all lower in price from a year ago. Both DAP and MAP are 18% lower, anhydrous is 17% less expensive, UAN28 and UAN32 are both 12% lower, urea is 6% less expensive, potash is 5% lower and 10-34-0 is 3% less expensive from last year at this time.

DTN collects roughly 1,700 retail fertilizer bids from 310 retailer locations weekly. Not all fertilizer prices change each week. Prices are subject to change at any time.

DTN Pro Grains subscribers can find current retail fertilizer price in the DTN Fertilizer Index on the Fertilizer page under Farm Business.

Retail fertilizer charts dating back to 2010 are available in the DTN fertilizer segment. The charts included cost of N/lb., DAP, MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32.

Russ Quinn can be reached at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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