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Pricing guide · DAP 18-46-0

DAP 18-46-0 price per ton in 2026: diammonium phosphate bulk pricing

DAP 18-46-0 (diammonium phosphate) is the world's most traded phosphate fertilizer — a single granular product carrying 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5). In 2026 the indicative wholesale band for bulk DAP export sits at roughly USD 416–507/MT, moving with rock phosphate, sulfur, ammonia and seasonal demand from the major buying regions.

Because phosphate prices are driven by three separate feedstock inputs and large seasonal tenders, the band can widen or compress quickly. This guide explains what sets the DAP price per ton, how it relates to MAP and the other phosphate grades, and what a buyer needs to issue to get a firm FOB or CIF quotation rather than an indicative number.

DAP 18-46-0 indicative price per ton

The range below is an indicative export (FOB/CFR) level for bulk DAP. A firm price is fixed in the contract at loading, against a named destination port, vessel size, volume and shipment window. For the exact specification and COA package, see the DAP 18-46-0 product page.

Grade	Nutrient content	Indicative USD/MT
DAP 18-46-0	18% N, 46% P2O5	USD 416–507
MAP 12-52-0 (reference)	12% N, 52% P2O5	USD 443–539
TSP 46% P2O5 (reference)	46% P2O5	USD 246–300
SSP (reference)	16–20% P2O5	USD 101–123

DAP and MAP trade in a narrow band to each other because they are close substitutes; TSP and SSP sit lower because they carry less total nutrient.

What drives the DAP price per ton

DAP is not a single-cost product. Its price per ton is built from three feedstock chains, and a shock to any of them moves the band:

1. Phosphate rock

Phosphate rock is the primary raw material for all phosphate fertilizer. Rock prices, mining capacity and export quotas (notably from Morocco and China) set the floor for DAP, MAP, TSP and SSP. When rock tightens, the entire phosphate complex rises together.

2. Sulfur and sulfuric acid

To make DAP, phosphate rock is first reacted with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid. Sulfur is therefore the second cost driver. Sulfur prices track oil and gas refining output, so an energy-market disruption can lift sulfuric acid cost and, with it, DAP.

3. Ammonia

DAP's 18% nitrogen comes from ammonia. Because ammonia is gas-linked, a natural gas price spike pushes ammonia up and drags DAP with it — even though DAP is primarily a phosphate product. This is why DAP and urea sometimes move together in a gas-cost shock.

Seasonal tender demand

Beyond feedstocks, DAP is heavily influenced by seasonal procurement. Large fertilizer subsidies and tenders in India (the world's biggest DAP importer) and Brazil create predictable demand spikes that compress availability and lift the band, usually around planting windows.

DAP vs MAP: which to buy

DAP (18-46-0) and MAP (12-52-0) are the two benchmark ammonium phosphate fertilizers and trade close to each other. The choice is agronomic more than commercial:

DAP — higher nitrogen (18%), slightly lower phosphate. The global volume benchmark; widely accepted at every discharge terminal.
MAP — higher phosphate (52% P2O5), lower nitrogen. Preferred as a starter fertilizer and where the buyer wants to manage nitrogen separately.

Because the bands overlap, a buyer can often switch between DAP and MAP on price with minimal cost impact — but the decision should follow the crop nutrition plan, not just the headline number.

FOB and CIF pricing for DAP

The indicative band above is an export (FOB/CFR) level. A DAP CIF quotation adds freight, insurance and destination handling, so it depends on the discharge port, vessel size and current freight market. Two DAP offers at the same "USD/MT" number are not comparable unless they are on the same Incoterm basis.

A serious DAP CIF quotation therefore requires:

named destination port;
volume (one-time or contract);
packaging (bulk, jumbo or 50 kg bags);
vessel size and shipment window;
buyer profile and settlement structure.

How to read a DAP quotation: red flags

Because DAP is a high-volume, widely traded grade, it attracts broker chains and unrealistic offers. Red flags when evaluating a DAP price per ton:

a quotation far below the indicative band with no feedstock-cost rationale;
a firm CIF price issued without a named destination port;
SOP- or MAP-style promises attached to a DAP offer;
pressure for upfront payment outside a controlled settlement;
a long chain between the named supplier and the actual producer;
inconsistent origin or vague loading port.

Price realism is the first compliance filter. If a DAP number does not reconcile with rock, sulfur and ammonia costs plus freight, the offer usually cannot be executed.

What to include in a DAP RFQ

To receive a workable DAP quotation, include:

grade: DAP 18-46-0 (or MAP 12-52-0 if acceptable as substitute);
quantity in metric tons;
destination country and port;
delivery basis: FOB or CIF;
packaging (bulk, jumbo, 50 kg);
preferred shipment window;
buyer company name and country;
intended use and settlement expectations.

The more precise the request, the faster the supplier can check allocation and issue firm terms.

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FAQ: DAP 18-46-0 price per ton

What is the price of DAP 18-46-0 per ton in 2026?

The indicative wholesale band for DAP 18-46-0 diammonium phosphate in 2026 is roughly USD 416–507/MT on bulk export terms. Firm pricing is fixed in the contract at loading against a named destination port, volume and shipment window.

What is DAP 18-46-0 fertilizer?

DAP 18-46-0 is diammonium phosphate, a concentrated phosphate fertilizer containing 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5). It is the most widely traded phosphate fertilizer globally and is used as a starter and base dressing for cereals, oilseeds and row crops.

What is the difference between DAP and MAP?

DAP (18-46-0) carries more nitrogen (18%) and slightly less phosphate than MAP (12-52-0), which carries 12% nitrogen and 52% P2O5. MAP is more concentrated in phosphate and is preferred as a starter; DAP is the higher-volume global benchmark. The two usually trade in a narrow band to each other.

What drives the DAP price per ton?

DAP prices per ton are driven by three feedstock inputs: phosphate rock, sulfur (to make sulfuric acid) and ammonia. Seasonal tender demand from India and Brazil, Chinese export policy and freight rates also move the band significantly.

Can DAP be supplied on CIF terms?

Yes. CIF supply can be arranged to a named destination port, but a firm CIF price requires the specific port, vessel size, volume, packaging and shipment window, because freight and insurance are calculated into the landed cost.