Fertilizer Costs Climb Up to 40% This Year

Seven of eight major fertilizers rose in price last month, with all eight costing more than a year ago.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Inflation

Fertilizer Costs Climb Up to 40% This Year

Live Poll

Have fertilizer-driven food costs risen noticeably in your area this year?

Fertilizer costs have risen as much as 40% this year, with seven of eight major fertilizers increasing in price last month according to DTN. Anhydrous ammonia is up 17% and urea is up 13% from a year ago.

Why it matters

Higher fertilizer costs squeeze farm operating budgets and can affect planting decisions and the prices farmers pay for inputs. Regions with little local production face added delivery delays that increase price risk.

DTN retail tracking shows anhydrous ammonia averaging $987 per ton, up 17% from a year ago, and UAN28 averaging $447 per ton after a 6% monthly rise. The source does not say how long these elevated prices will last.

The players

DTN

DTN is a provider of agricultural market data and retail fertilizer price tracking that publishes weekly price reports used widely across the farm economy.

The details

Fertilizer prices have climbed sharply this year, with some products up as much as 40%. Pacific Northwest buyers face longer delivery times because the region has little to no local fertilizer production, so purchases must be made sooner to avoid added price risk.

This year: fertilizer costs rose as much as 40%.
Last month: seven of eight major fertilizers increased in price.

Macro View

The current fertilizer increases are recorded in DTN's weekly retail price series, which tracks the same products year over year. Every one of the eight major fertilizers now costs more than it did a year ago, placing this episode in a sustained run of higher input costs for U.S. agriculture.

Farmers buying fertilizer face higher costs for nearly every major product, which raises the expense of planting. Buyers in areas with little local production should plan purchases earlier to avoid longer delivery times and added price risk.

The takeaway

Fertilizer budgets should be built around current prices rather than last year's levels, since all eight major products cost more than they did a year ago. Locking in purchases early can reduce exposure to further increases and delivery delays.