Top 10 Ag Retailers With the Most Fertilizer Revenue in 2023

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On the surface of things, the fertilizer category did not have a good year in 2023. But looking deeper at all the facts tells a slightly different story. According to data collected on the 2023 CropLife 100 survey, the nation’s top ag retailers saw their fertilizer revenues drop off significantly during this past growing season – from $23.4 billion in 2022 to $22.4 billion in 2023.

“According to most ag retailers, the culprit for this sales declines in 2023 tied back to higher fertilizer prices coming back down to earth,” said CropLife Editor Eric Sfiligoj. “Not too long ago, exceptionally high fertilizer prices were causing plenty of worry among ag retailers. The fear was that grower-customers would be severely cutting down on their macronutrient applications – particularly phosphorus and potash. Indeed, most crop nutrients were selling at nearly $1,000 per ton, with some forms of nitrogen easily cracking the $1,500 per ton barrier.”

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But based upon the latest fertilizer price data, these higher prices have settled back. In fact, according to one grower that CropLife spoke with at a recent trade conference, nitrogen-based fertilizers are now selling for $500 to $600 per ton – about the same amounts that were being paid by growers back at the start of 2021.

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According to ag retailers, this price drop meant that grower-customers were expected to be in a “buying mood” going into the 2024 spring season. That’s a great sign for the 10 ag retailers that led the U.S. in fertilizer sales in 2023. In total, the top 10 companies in fertilizer revenue generated $15.3 billion this past year, which comprised 68% of total CropLife 100 fertilizer revenue ($22.4 billion). To find out which companies made that list (in reverse order of sales), view the slideshow above.

Editor’s note: Companies included in the CropLife 100 listings were limited to independent dealerships and cooperatives that offer fertilizer, crop protection, seed, and custom application services. Figures do not include a host of services, such as data management, consulting/scouting, or grain elevator revenue. Dealerships and cooperatives are ranked in order by total sales in their respective sales group.

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