Nitrogen Prices
Urea Price in Iowa — Spring 2026
GrainBrief — Updated May 2026 — USDA AMS, FRED, EIA data
Urea is priced at $410–$505/ton in Iowa in spring 2026. Iowa urea prices benefit from barge access via the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, keeping delivered costs competitive.
Iowa Price vs. National Benchmark
| Market | Price Range | vs. 2025 |
|---|
| Iowa retail average | $410–$505/ton | +20% |
| Corn Belt average | $420–$520/ton | +25–30% |
| NOLA barge reference | $390–$470/ton | +20–25% |
What Drives Iowa Urea Pricing
Iowa urea prices benefit from barge access via the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, keeping delivered costs competitive.
- Compare quotes to USDA AMS benchmark — USDA publishes weekly retail fertilizer prices by region. If your quote is more than 8% above benchmark, push back.
- Watch NOLA barge prices — terminal prices follow NOLA barge within 2–3 weeks. A barge price drop signals incoming retail relief.
- Pre-buy fall applications before August — China export restriction decisions in August will move the market; pre-buying locks in current prices.
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