UAN28 Leads Fertilizer Price Declines for Fifth Consecutive Week

OMAHA (DTN) — Retail fertilizer prices remained somewhat varied during the third full week of August 2026, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

For the fifth week in a row, five fertilizers were lower in price compared to last month, while the remaining three were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Like last week, only one nutrient had a significant price move. UAN28 was 8% less expensive compared to last month, averaging $436 per ton. The average price of all nitrogen fertilizers tracked by DTN was $625/ton.

Four other fertilizers were just slightly lower. Urea averaged $664/ton, 10-34-0 $715/ton, anhydrous $943/ton and UAN32 $458/ton.

The remaining three nutrients were just slightly more expensive looking back a month. DAP averaged $916/ton, MAP $959/ton and potash $495/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, urea averaged $0.72/lb.N, anhydrous $0.58/lb.N, UAN28 $0.78/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.

With the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran continuing to close the Strait of Hormuz, the United Nations is offering to facilitate the transport of fertilizer through the strait, according to The Times of Israel (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/un-offers-to-facilitate-fertilizer-transit-through-strait-of-hormuz/).

“The purpose is simple: to reduce immediate risks, support more orderly and predictable transit, and help rebuild the confidence necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at a press briefing.

Guterres said the UN would not authorize passage through the strait or alter the rights or obligations of states under international law. Instead, the world body would serve as a “neutral facilitator,” registering and verifying ships carrying fertilizer and related products. “Of course, it can only be done if the countries that are involved in this conflict all agree to accept the mechanism,” he added.

Iran has indicated it intends to impose fees on ships transiting the strait, which the U.S. and others in the region oppose. President Donald Trump has insisted he has “total control” of the strait and has even asserted it is U.S. territory, as it blocks shipping to and from Iranian ports.

Seven of the eight fertilizers tracked by DTN are higher in price compared to one year ago. Potash is 2% higher, UAN28 is 4% more expensive, urea is 5% higher, MAP is 6% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 7% higher, DAP is 8% more expensive and anhydrous is 24% higher year over year. The one exception is UAN32, which is 5% lower than a year ago.

DTN gathers fertilizer price bids from agricultural 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.

Morocco’s state-owned OCP returned to the U.S. phosphate fertilizer market with its first shipment landing at the Port of New Orleans last week, according to the University of Illinois Farm Policy News Summary. You can read about it here: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2026/08/19/5-fertilizer-prices-slightly-lower-3.

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

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