How has the pricing of urea changed over time?


Quick Answer

Over the past 30 years, urea has generally risen in value with a few notable exceptions. As of December 2015, in U.S. dollars paid per metric ton, the 30-year low for the value of urea was $63.25 in June of 1999. The highest value for Urea in the same time period was $770 in 2008.

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Full Answer

Urea is a nitrogen-rich compound often used as a soil fertilizer. It is considered inexpensive and readily available, making it a popular additive in the agricultural industry.

Between 1985 and 1994, the price paid per metric ton of urea was largely stable, with the largest fluctuation occurring in January 1990, when the price rose 28.57 percent from $87.50 to $112.50. However, prices fluctuate much more rapidly in years following 1994. Between 1994 and 2015, the single largest fluctuation in price occurred in October 2008 when the price dropped 42.58 percent from $706.25 to $405.50. Additionally, prices paid for urea in November of the same year dropped an additional 39.40 percent to $245.75. In 2008 alone, the price of urea climbed as high as $770.00 and dropped as low as $225.38, making it the most volatile year since 1985.

Since 2008, the price per ton of urea has remained more stable, typically ranging from approximately $275 to $350. This excludes two brief spikes in price that occurred mid-year in 2011 and 2012.

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