Farmers Facing Fertilizer ‘Sticker Shock’

Tight supplies, import hurdles and expectations for massive corn and soybean crops this year are just a few of the dynamics driving higher fertilizer prices right now, and they’re likely to continue through spring and beyond, market-watchers say. The run-up in prices actually started last summer when import duties from major suppliers and slowed production in places like China reduced available supply worldwide. But there’s one bright spot; with the rebound in grain prices and relatively moderate weather for many corn and soybean farmers, many were able to apply some fertilizer products before winter set in, which should ease some supply-driven upward price momentum later on this spring. If crop fertility is a concern on your acres, one analyst has simple advice: The supply crunch is real, so act soon if you need to buy and apply fertilizer this spring. See more on the situation.