Milorganite® Shortage Update
April 4, 2022
Why is the Demand for Milorganite Outpacing Production?
Customer demand for Milorganite has outpaced production again this season, and it’s understandable that customers are frustrated if they can’t find their favorite fertilizer. Unfortunately, the supply-and-demand model doesn’t apply to Milorganite.
It can be confusing that the supply-and-demand model doesn’t apply to Milorganite. It’s the model we’re all used to, demand increases, so production increases. But that’s not the case with Milorganite.
Decades ago, there were more industries in the area that produced large volumes of wastewater, including several breweries and a yeast manufacturer. Many of them left the area taking their valuable “raw material” with them. Fewer water-based industries and less wastewater equal less Milorganite.
There’s only a finite amount of raw material available that’s processed into Milorganite. Although more than 43,000 tons of Milorganite will be produced this season—about 2.5 million bags— it continues to fall short of customer demand.
Finding Milorganite®
Use our store locator to help you find retailers in your area that sell Milorganite. The store locator does not indicate which retailers have Milorganite in stock. After identifying a retailer in your area, we suggest you check their website or call ahead to see if they have Milorganite in stock. If you find Milorganite, please only purchase what you need and leave some for other Milorganite customers.
As the popularity of Milorganite has increased in recent years, “copycat” fertilizer products are appearing in the marketplace with similar names and bags as Milorganite. We apologize for any confusion; please check this video from "The Lawn Care Nut" to help identify the real Milorganite.
Retailers Control the Price at Your Local Store, Not Milorganite®
Milorganite is only sold wholesale, not directly to customers, and retailers set the price, not Milorganite. Some retailers are taking advantage of the current demand for Milorganite by increasing the price. They’re applying the supply-and-demand model at the retail level.
One way to ensure you get the best price is to take advantage of big-box stores offering price matching. Often you need to bring in your receipt, ad, printout, or photo of the lower-priced product. Check price-matching requirements on the retailer’s website.
If you’re unhappy with the Milorganite price set by your local retailer, please get in touch with their office corporate directly to share your concerns.
Share your lawn with us for Milorganite swag!
Beneficial Reuse is our Mission
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD), the producer of Milorganite, doesn’t profit by producing, marketing, selling, or distributing Milorganite.
Milorganite, a low-nitrogen, iron-rich fertilizer, is a byproduct of MMSD fulfilling its mission to protect public health and the environment in the Greater Milwaukee region. Recycling nutrient-rich wastewater into Milorganite is better and more cost-effective than dumping these nutrients into a landfill. It would be a monumental waste of tons of nutrients that could be converted into fertilizer, with taxpayers paying the bill for disposal. Producing Milorganite saves tax dollars.
We understand you're frustrated when you can’t find Milorganite on the shelves. We’re frustrated too! We want nothing more than to make our customers happy. Therefore, the Milorganite team remains dedicated to finding a solution to fill this gap in the marketplace. Thank you for being a faithful Milorganite customer!
