Urea Fertilizer Prices by Country and Market

There is no single world price for urea. What you pay depends on where the urea comes from, where it is going, the product form, the season and the contract. Still, the market moves together, and a few reference points tell you most of what you need. In September 2026 the World Bank benchmark for granular urea, FOB Middle East, was $407.50 per tonne, after a sharp spike to $693.50 in April to June.

This page brings together urea fertilizer prices by country and market: the benchmark trend, average 2024 customs values for major importers and exporters, and the reasons prices differ between markets.

The benchmark: where world urea prices are heading

The 2026 spike was sharp and short. Prices more than doubled from the 2024 average at their peak, then fell back by the third quarter. For buyers who bought in the second quarter, that swing was painful. For those who could wait, it was a lesson in timing.

Energy markets were part of the story. The World Bank’s European natural gas price averaged $11.96 per MMBtu in 2025 but reached $25.42 in September 2026, and gas is the main cost in making ammonia and urea.

Urea prices by country: 2024 customs values

Customs data shows what countries actually paid, on average, across a whole year. It is not a live quote, but it is a useful, comparable view across markets.

What importers paid

What exporters received

A few patterns stand out. Large importers such as Brazil and the United States paid less per tonne than small, distant buyers like Japan, partly because of scale and freight. Egyptian and Algerian urea, which mostly sells into nearby Europe, recorded higher average values than Gulf or Nigerian exports. Annual averages hide timing, though: a country that bought mostly in a cheap quarter shows a lower figure.

Farm-gate prices in subsidised markets

In some countries, farmers do not pay the world price at all.

• India: the government fixes the maximum retail price of urea at ₹242 per 45 kg bag, excluding neem coating charges and taxes, and covers the difference through subsidies.
• Several other countries in South Asia and Africa also regulate or subsidise urea, so local retail prices can sit far below import costs.

If you trade into these markets, the buyer is often a government agency, and the price is set in a tender rather than on the open market. See urea importers and buyers.

Granular vs prilled prices

Granular urea is the main product in seaborne trade and the basis of most benchmarks, including the World Bank’s. Prilled urea often trades at a small discount because it handles less well in bulk, but this varies by market and over time. Always compare offers on the same form and specification. See urea N46 specifications.

Why urea prices differ by country and market

1. Natural gas costs at the producing plant.
2. Freight and voyage length from origin to discharge port.
3. Export policies, such as Chinese export controls, and sanctions affecting some origins.
4. Import duties and taxes in the buying country.
5. Season: prices often rise before major planting periods.
6. Subsidies and price controls in markets like India.
7. Exchange rates for buyers paying in local currency.
8. Contract terms: spot cargoes, term contracts and tender awards price differently.

For more context on supply, see urea production and export data.

How to compare urea price offers

• Put every offer on the same basis: FOB, CFR or CIF, and the same port.
• Compare the same product form and specification.
• Check the shipment period and the price validity.
• Ask which benchmark the price follows if it is index-linked.
• Treat prices far below the benchmark with caution.

For a general guide to urea costs, including retail and bag prices, read what urea costs today.

Getting a current urea price from Agromer

Prices change daily, so we quote each enquiry against the market. Agromer trades urea with major producers on spot and contract terms, with an end-buyer LOI, payment by 100% DLC or SBLC, and SGS inspection at loading. Send us the form, specification, quantity, packaging and destination port. See also urea suppliers and exporters by country.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current price of urea?

The World Bank benchmark for granular urea, FOB Middle East, was $407.50 per tonne in September 2026. Delivered prices add freight, insurance and local costs.

Why did urea prices rise in 2026?

Prices peaked at $693.50 per tonne in April to June 2026, at a time when European gas prices were also far above 2025 levels. They eased again in the third quarter.

Which country has the cheapest urea?

In 2024 customs data, Nigeria and Oman recorded some of the lowest average export values. For farmers, regulated markets such as India have very low retail prices because of subsidies.

What is the price of urea in India?

The government-fixed maximum retail price is ₹242 per 45 kg bag, excluding neem coating charges and taxes.

Is prilled urea cheaper than granular urea?

Often slightly, but not always. Compare offers on the same specification and delivery basis.

Are customs unit values the same as market prices?

No. They are annual averages of declared values, often including freight. They show broad differences between markets, not today’s price.

How often do urea prices change?

Continuously. Benchmarks are assessed weekly or monthly, and individual offers are usually valid for a short time.

Related urea guides: Urea Cost Today · Urea Suppliers and Exporters by Country · Urea Importers and Buyers · Urea Production and Export Data