DAP (diammonium phosphate) is priced at $640–$740 per ton in U.S. Corn Belt markets in spring 2026 — up 20–30% year-over-year. China imposed phosphate export restrictions through August 2026, removing roughly 30% of global supply. U.S. buyers are sourcing from Morocco and Saudi Arabia at a premium.
Current Signal: WAIT
Year-over-year change: +20–30%
| Market / Region | Price Range |
|---|---|
| NOLA Barge | $620 – $700/ton |
| Corn Belt Retail | $660 – $740/ton |
| Southeast | $640 – $720/ton |
| Pacific Northwest | $650 – $730/ton |
China is the world's largest phosphate exporter. Its export restrictions, announced in late 2025 and extended through August 2026, removed an estimated 7–9 million metric tons from global trade. This created an immediate supply shock that lifted DAP spot prices by 18–22% in Q1 2026 alone.
OCP (Morocco) and Ma'aden (Saudi Arabia) increased output to capture the China gap, but logistics and lead times added $20–$40/ton to landed costs for U.S. importers compared to Chinese product.
DAP requires ammonia as a feedstock. Elevated ammonia prices in 2026 increased DAP production costs and set a higher floor than 2023–2024 levels.
80% of U.S. DAP application occurs in two windows: fall pre-plant and spring pre-plant. Spring 2026 buyers absorbing elevated import costs had little negotiating leverage with tight spot supply.
DAP is trading at $640–$740 per ton at Corn Belt retail in spring 2026. NOLA barge prices, which are the U.S. benchmark, are $620–$700/ton.
China's phosphate export restrictions through August 2026 removed ~30% of global supply. The U.S. relies heavily on imports and absorbed the full price shock from redirected sourcing.
MAP typically trades $10–$30/ton below DAP at any given time. Both are phosphate sources, but MAP (11-52-0) has slightly higher phosphate content per ton, narrowing the per-unit-P cost gap.
Analysts expect moderate softening if China lifts restrictions in August 2026 as planned. Fall 2026 prices could be 8–15% lower than spring 2026 peaks if supply normalizes.
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