DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Most retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN cooled off a bit during the first week in February, as five of the eight fertilizers reported small price drops.

The price of 10-34-0 was the only fertilizer tracked by DTN to record a price increase compared to one week ago, rising by about 1% to $826 per ton. The fertilizer hit the $800-per-ton level for the first since March 2012 two weeks ago.

Coming off an all-time record-high price, anhydrous dropped from $1,492 to $1,487 per ton in this week's update.

Four other fertilizers reporting small price drops were led by urea, falling from $910/ton last week to $905 for this update; MAP from $936/ton to $933; potash from $814/ton to $813; and UAN28 from $601/ton to $600. UAN32 was the only fertilizer tracked by DTN to remain unchanged at $699/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.98/lb.N, anhydrous $0.91/lb.N, UAN28 $1.07/lb.N and UAN32 $1.09/lb.N.

The Associated Press reported on Monday that many residents near the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant fire in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have been allowed to return home.

The AP said weekend rains helped to largely dowse the fire that broke out on Jan. 31, reducing the risk of explosion from an estimated 600 tons of ammonium nitrate stored on-site.

Currently, ammonium nitrate is not subject to the federal risk management plan rule, which is intended to prevent chemical disasters.

The Biden administration is continuing a review of RMP rules. Last summer, the EPA held public comment listening sessions.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board called for stronger regulation of ammonium nitrate, https://www.csb.gov/…. A preliminary report it issued after the 2013 West Fertilizer Co. AN explosion in West, Texas, said the fertilizer industry had taken steps to eliminate the risk of accidental explosion of ammonium nitrate.

The West explosion killed 15 first-responders and severely damaged the town, https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show all fertilizers have increased significantly, with several fertilizers having well-over 100% price increases.

MAP is now 55% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 65% higher, DAP is 58% more expensive, potash is 109% higher, urea is 111% more expensive, UAN32 is 157% higher, UAN28 151% is more expensive and anhydrous is 193% higher compared to last year.

DTN surveys more than 300 retailers, gathering roughly 1,700 fertilizer price bids, to compile the DTN Fertilizer Index each week. In addition to national averages, MyDTN subscribers can access the full DTN Fertilizer Index, which includes state averages, here: https://www.mydtn.com/….

Todd Neeley can be reached at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter @DTNeeley

(c) Copyright 2022 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.