Anhydrous Surge Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher Across U.S. Ag Markets
Fertilizer markets are on the move again. Anhydrous ammonium rose 8% in a month, with prices across multiple nutrients edging higher as input inflation returns.
Anhydrous ammonium prices surged 8% in October, leading a broader increase in fertilizer costs across U.S. markets, according to DTN's latest survey of ag retailers. The average price for anhydrous reached $842 per ton during the third week of the month, up from $780 in September - and now 20% higher than a year ago.
This makes anhydrous the only product with a significant month-over-month price movement as defined by DTN (5% or more). However, four other major fertilizers also saw slight increases: DAP rose to $926/ton, MAP to $932/ton, potash to $487/ton, and 10-34-0 to $667/ton.
On the flip side, urea fell 3% to $598/ton, while UAN28 dropped 2% to $413/ton and UAN32 dipped 2% to $466/ton, offering some short-term relief for nitrogen-dependent producers.
Yet even with some slight declines, all eight fertilizers are now more expensive than a year ago. Among the most dramatic increases: UAN28 is up 31%, UAN32 is up 28%, DAP is up 25%, and both urea and anhydrous have climbed 20% over the 12-month span. These shifts are intensifying pressure on input costs for 2026 crop planning.
Here's a breakdown of current fertilizer prices:
Retail Fertilizer Prices - October 20-24, 2025 (USD/ton)
Dry Fertilizers
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| DAP | $926 |
| MAP | $932 |
| Potash | $487 |
| Urea | $598 |
Liquid Fertilizers
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| 10-34-0 | $667 |
| Anhydrous | $842 |
| UAN28 | $413 |
| UAN32 | $466 |
In terms of nitrogen cost per pound, urea averaged $0.65/lb.N, while anhydrous offered the most efficient rate at $0.51/lb.N. UAN28 and UAN32 came in higher, at $0.74/lb.N and $0.73/lb.N respectively - a key consideration for corn producers managing nutrient programs ahead of the 2026 season.
In related news, Tanco Terminals recently announced a $750,000 expansion at its liquid barge facility at the Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville. The investment includes the construction of two new 45,000-gallon tanks to support blended fertilizer production for Premier Ag, a regional co-op based in Seymour, Indiana. The upgrades will allow for customized additive blends tailored to local soil needs, increasing throughput and flexibility during peak season.
The expansion is a response to rising demand for liquid nitrogen solutions in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Tanco also plans to add up to four more tanks and develop 24/7 truck loading capabilities, improving regional access to nitrogen blends like UAN28, UAN32, and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS).
As input inflation returns, ag retailers and producers are once again sharpening their pencils for 2026. With fertilizer prices climbing and policy debates heating up around production incentives and supply chain resilience, the market is watching both Washington and global commodity flows for signals.
Retail fertilizer price data is compiled weekly by DTN from U.S. ag retailers and has tracked national trends since 2008.
