Variability in Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices in Illinois Over the Last 15 Years

Fertilizer markets have received considerable attention over the past two years as prices for nitrogen and other fertilizers experienced dramatic increases from late 2020 into the 2^nd quarter of 2022 followed by sharp declines back towards 2021 levels over the past 18 months (August 15, 2023). While the movements in average price levels are important to monitor, variability in local prices available to individual producers is also essential to consider. This is particularly true in the current environment with projections for farmer returns in Illinois to be much lower, and potentially negative, for the 2023 and 2024 crop years (August 29, 2023).

This article continues our series focused on fertilizer prices (see farmdoc daily articles from September 12, August 15, August 1, and June 13, 2023) with a focus on the variability in price levels around the averages reported by the USDA for Illinois.  The historical data show that there can exist a significant amount of variability around average price levels, and this variability tends to be larger during periods of fast market adjustment, or rapidly rising or falling price levels.  This suggests that farmers should carefully monitor changes in local pricing opportunities and, when possible, compare price quotes from multiple suppliers.

Price Variability in Illinois Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices

The bi-weekly Illinois Production Cost Report provided by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports average prices for fertilizer products and farm diesel fuel based on statewide surveys. The report also includes the price range for survey responses, providing a measure of price variability within the state for fertilizers and diesel fuel over the two-week period covered by the report. Note that there are both spatial and temporal components to this variation.  The price range reported captures variation across price information sources or respondents, as well as variation that could occur during the timeframe over which the data is collected to create the report.

Figure 1 compares the average price for anhydrous ammonia over the last 15 years (September 4, 2008 to September 7, 2023) to the range in prices observed to compute the reported average.  For example, the most recent September 7, 2023 report listed the average price of anhydrous ammonia in Illinois at $637/ton with a price range of $193/ton ($567 to $760 per ton).

Price variability implied by the reported price range has been notably higher over the past two years as nitrogen fertilizer prices increased dramatically from late 2020 into the 2^nd quarter of 2022 followed by a sharp decline to current levels.  Since 2020, the price range reported in the USDA AMS reports has averaged $193 per ton and exceeded $500 per ton over multiple weeks in both 2022 and 2023.  Variability was also relatively high during the period of sharp fertilizer price declines from late 2008 through 2009 with an average price range of nearly $160/ton.  Variability was lower from 2010 through 2019, with an average price range of $76/ton.

The ratio of the reported price range to the average price provides a relative measure of price variability.  Since 2020 this ratio has averaged 21%.  From late 2008 through 2009 it averaged 22%.  From 2010 through 2019 it averaged just 12%.

For anhydrous ammonia, price variability around the average and price variability relative to the average price were markedly higher in 2008/2009 and in the period since 2020 compared with the decade from 2010 through 2019.  The higher price variability periods were both associated with heightened levels of market uncertainty and general energy and commodity price volatility.  High commodity prices fueled by global demand growth coupled with high input costs and fertilizer supply chain issues and the effects of the global financial crisis led to increased price volatility in the mid- to late-2000s (Huand et al., 2009).  The recent period of increased price variability stems from volatile energy and commodity markets during and following the pandemic as well as additional uncertainty and supply chain challenges introduced by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict (February 28, 2023).

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the average price and price range measures for urea and liquid nitrogen over the same time period. Variability (relative variability) in urea prices in Illinois averaged $162/ton (31%) from late 2008 through 2009, $75/ton (18%) from 2010 through 2019, and $80/ton (14%) since 2020. Variability (relative variability) in liquid prices in Illinois averaged $106/ton (30%) from late 2008 through 2009, $54/ton (18%) from 2010 through 2019, and $84/ton (20%) since 2020. Both urea and liquid nitrogen prices exhibited larger nominal price variability during the 2008/2009 and 2020 to current periods, consistent with anhydrous ammonia.  However, the relative measure of price variability for liquid nitrogen since 2020 was not significantly greater than from 2010 to 2019, and recent relative variability for urea has actually been a bit lower than the average from 2010 to 2019.

Discussion and Summary

While reported statewide averages for products such as nitrogen fertilizers provide important information and insights into market trends, variability around those averages must also be considered as the timing and location of individual transactions between buyers and sellers can occur at price levels which differ considerably from reported averages.  The historical data available from USDA-AMS suggests that variability around average nitrogen fertilizer prices can be more pronounced during periods of quickly adjusting markets – when average prices are rising or falling at a relatively fast pace.

This has important implications for farmers as they make pricing and purchasing decisions, particularly during periods of fast market adjustment.  To the extent possible, soliciting price quotes for nitrogen fertilizer products, as well as other inputs, from multiple sources is advised. This is true under all market conditions, but is even more critical under current conditions when prices, on average, are experiencing large fluctuations from week to week and the return outlook suggests already tight margins.