Fertilizer Prices Mostly Fall Again; Urea the Only One Trending Higher This Week
Urea rises 17% year over year, but seven other fertilizers continue to decline-offering relief to U.S. producers as input cost pressures ease.
On January 28, 2026, DTN Staff Reporter Russ Quinn reported that average retail prices for seven of eight major fertilizers declined for the second consecutive week, offering some input cost relief to producers. However, urea prices continued to climb, reaching $574/ton-up 17% compared to the same time last year. These shifts are crucial as input costs remain a key pressure point in U.S. crop margins heading into planting season.
According to DTN's latest Fertilizer Index, prices for DAP, MAP, potash, 10-34-0, anhydrous ammonia, UAN28, and UAN32 all moved lower compared to mid-December, though none fell by more than 5%, the threshold for a "significant move" by DTN's standards.
Meanwhile, urea posted a slight week-over-week gain and continues to be the most elevated nutrient compared to January 2025, up 17%. This trend suggests sustained nitrogen cost volatility heading into spring.
Here are the latest national average prices (per ton):
Dry Fertilizer Prices (USD per ton)
| Date Range | DAP | MAP | POTASH | UREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19-23, 2026 | 843 | 863 | 482 | 574 |
Liquid Fertilizer Prices (USD per ton)
| Date Range | 10-34-0 | Anhydrous (ANHYD) | UAN28 | UAN32 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19-23, 2026 | 665 | 856 | 409 | 464 |
Nitrogen Cost Per Pound Shows Sharp Differences
When converted to price per pound of nitrogen, urea remains the most expensive nitrogen source after UAN solutions:
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Urea: $0.62/lb. N
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Anhydrous: $0.52/lb. N
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UAN28 and UAN32: $0.73/lb. N
In related global developments, Petrobras has restarted two nitrogen fertilizer plants in Sergipe and Bahia, Brazil, producing ammonia and urea. These facilities are expected to supply up to 12% of Brazil's domestic market, potentially easing import demand and shifting global pricing dynamics.
Company officials indicated plans to increase Brazil's national urea production to 35%, thanks to a third plant under construction in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Despite the recent dips, all eight fertilizers remain higher than January 2025 levels:
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UAN32: +27%
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UAN28: +25%
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Urea: +17%
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Anhydrous: +16%
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DAP: +14%
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Potash: +9%
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10-34-0: +8%
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MAP: +7%
While prices are easing modestly, the year-over-year increases-particularly in nitrogen-based fertilizers-suggest that fertility planning and input budgeting remain critical areas for growers. Continued monitoring of international production and domestic supply chains will be key as planting decisions are finalized.
