Illinois Fuel and Fertilizer Cost Report for March 20, 2026 - Mobile Edition

Why It Matters

Rising fertilizer and diesel costs erode farm profitability and can translate into higher food prices, affecting both producers and consumers nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• Anhydrous ammonia price rises to $998.33 per ton
• Urea sees largest increase, up $231.50 per ton
• Farm diesel climbs to $4.23 per gallon, +$0.33
• 28% liquid nitrogen up $38.42; 32% up $70 per ton
• All major fertilizer prices posted weekly gains in Illinois

Summary

The Illinois Department of Agriculture released its weekly Production Cost Report for the week ending March 20, 2026, detailing price movements for key nitrogen‑based fertilizers and farm fuels. The data, presented by Jim Raftis, provides a snapshot of input‑cost pressures facing Illinois growers.

Across the board, fertilizer prices rose. Anhydrous ammonia reached $998.33 per ton, up $95.33; ATS climbed to $550 per ton (+$5); DAP to $840.75 (+$7.31); 28% liquid nitrogen to $489 (+$38.42) and 32% liquid nitrogen to $570 (+$70); MAP to $892.50 (+$31.50); white potash to $500.18 (+$9.60); and urea surged to $822.50, a $231.50 increase. Farm diesel (No. 2) edged higher to $4.23 per gallon (+$0.33) and B11 biodiesel to $4.14 (+$0.40).

Jim Raftis emphasized that “all major fertilizer prices posted weekly gains in Illinois,” highlighting urea’s sharp jump as the most pronounced. The report underscores a tightening cost environment for corn and soybean producers who rely heavily on nitrogen applications.

Higher input costs compress farm margins and may force growers to adjust planting rates, switch to lower‑cost fertilizer blends, or pass expenses onto consumers through higher commodity prices. Monitoring these trends is crucial for agribusiness investors and policy makers anticipating inflationary pressures in the food supply chain.

Original Description

Watch this week's breakdown of the Illinois Production Cost Report. We are seeing significant price increases across the board for all tracked agricultural inputs.

Major Changes This Week:

📈 Urea (46-0-0): Saw a massive spike, up $231.50/ton (+39.2%) to an average of $822.50.

📈 Anhydrous Ammonia: Increased by $95.33/ton (+10.6%), bringing the average to $998.33.

📈 Liquid Nitrogen (32%): Up $70/ton (+14.0%) to $570.

📈 Farm Fuels: Both No. 2 Farm Diesel and Biodiesel saw increases of $0.33 and $0.40 per gallon, respectively.

Get complete updated pricing on fertilizers and fuels for Illinois farmers. Brought to you by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and USDA. Illinois Production Cost Bi-weekly Report may be found at https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/viewReport/3195

#Agriculture #Farming #Fertilizer #FuelPrices #Illinois

00:00 Introduction

00:06 Anhydrous Ammonia

00:13 ATS

00:16 DAP

00:22 Liquid Nitrogen

00:31 MAP

00:37 White Potash

00:42 Urea 46%

00:47 Diesel Fuel

00:52 Biodiesel

00:58 Conclusion