Vermont is a dairy-dominated state with the Champlain Valley and Northeast Kingdom supporting grass-based milk production and small grain revival. Urea is currently priced at $496–$614/ton in Vermont markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Northeast supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $420–$520/ton | +15–25% |
| Vermont co-op / distributor | $496–$614/ton | +33–43% |
| Vermont retail delivered | $508–$629/ton | +35–45% |
Pre-buy fall 2026 urea before August China restriction decision. If restrictions lift, spot may soften Q4 but the floor is set by natural gas.
Vermont sources fertilizer from Montreal via Lake Champlain and from Albany distributors; small farm size and organic preference reduce synthetic fertilizer volume.
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| China nitrogen export restrictions | China restricted nitrogen exports through August 2026, removing significant global supply. |
| Natural gas cost floor | Natural gas represents 70–80% of urea production cost; European gas prices remain elevated. |
| NOLA barge benchmark | U.S. urea prices are indexed to New Orleans barge prices; inland premium reflects freight to your state. |
| Domestic vs. import balance | U.S. imports about 40% of urea needs; import parity sets the ceiling on domestic prices. |
Vermont farmers typically source Urea through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Northeast markets is to compare co-op pre-pay pricing versus spot retail, as pre-pay discounts of 5–12% are standard for early fall bookings.
As of spring 2026, Urea in Vermont is priced at approximately $496–$614/ton. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Vermont sits in the Northeast supply zone. Vermont sources fertilizer from Montreal via Lake Champlain and from Albany distributors. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 18–26% depending on season and logistics conditions.
Historically, fall pre-buy programs (August–October) offer the best pricing for the following spring application season. In-season spot prices during March–June carry a 5–15% logistics premium. GrainBrief's weekly signal tells you exactly when to act.
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