Some Fertilizer Prices Fall for First Time in 14 Weeks

OMAHA (DTN) — Fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third full week of May 2026 displayed a situation we have not seen since the second week in February — two of the nutrients’ prices moved lower. That is a run of 14 straight weeks of higher nutrient prices.

Two fertilizers were slightly less expensive while the remaining six of the eight major fertilizers were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The two fertilizers slightly lower compared to last month were potash and UAN32. Potash had an average price of $494/ton and UAN32 $586/ton.

The remaining six fertilizers had slightly higher prices compared to a month earlier.

DAP had an average price of $912/ton, MAP $953/ton, potash $494/ton, 10-34-0 $724/ton, anhydrous $1,118/ton and UAN28 $531/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.90/lb.N, anhydrous $0.68/lb.N, UAN28 $0.94/lb.N and UAN32 $0.92/lb.N.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a waiver for the transportation of fertilizer products in certain states (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/waiver-transportation-fertilizer-products-select-states-05-26-2026).

This grants motor carriers and drivers operating in interstate commerce to transport straight or blended fertilizers a temporary exemption from certain regulations. The waiver is effective on May 26, 2026, and expires on Aug. 26, 2026.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a full-scale, all-of-government’s effort to strengthen the country’s fertilizer supply, including efforts to lower shipping costs, expand fertilizer production, and cut red tape so that fertilizers reach America’s farmers,” the waiver said.

“As part of this coordinated action and in response to a request from The Fertilizer Institute, FMCSA issues this waiver to provide needed relief from specified FMCSRs (regulations) for motor carriers and drivers transporting fertilizer products in CMVs for commercial farming and agricultural purposes in select states, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth,” according to the website listed above.

All eight fertilizers are now higher in price compared to one year earlier.

Potash is 5% higher, 10-34-0 is 9% more expensive, DAP is 14% higher, MAP is 15% more expensive, UAN32 is 19% higher, urea is 27% higher, UAN28 is 28% more expensive and anhydrous is 44% higher looking back 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.

Fertilizer costs have risen significantly following the beginning of the conflict with Iran, according to a recent report from the University of Illinois. You can read about here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2026/05/13/dap-leads-fertilizer-prices-higher.

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

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