Fertiliser prices have remained largely steady in recent weeks, with little evidence of a significant increase in forward buying among farmers ahead of the 2027 season.
While there are concerns that fertiliser prices could rise again next year, industry sources report that relatively few farmers are committing to purchases at present.
One industry source said that most farmers who intended to buy fertiliser in advance would have done so by now.
Cashflow is understood to be a key factor behind the lack of activity, with many farmers having spent heavily on meal during the drought, adding to the financial pressure following what has been a challenging year on farms.
Retail prices
Reports from merchants indicate that fertiliser prices have been broadly stable, although a small number have reported slight increases this week.
Other merchants said prices have remained unchanged over the past four to six weeks.
Quotes for straight CAN are currently ranging from €490/t to €540/t, while protected urea is trading at a wider range of €690/t to €770/t.
Prices for 18-6-12 are ranging from €625/t to €650/t, with a small additional charge applying where sulphur is included.
The wide price ranges reflect differences in merchant quotes and product specifications, with farmers advised to shop around for the most competitive prices.
As the industry moves into the winter months, merchants report that there is relatively little fertiliser remaining in their yards.
Stocks
In many cases, stocks may amount to just a pallet or two of some of the main fertiliser products.
However, merchants have stressed that fertiliser remains widely available, with additional pallets generally able to be sourced and delivered to farmers’ yards within a couple of days.
For now, prices remain largely steady, but uncertainty over the direction of fertiliser markets next year is likely to remain a concern for farmers planning for 2027.
