Farmers around the country are waiting with baited breath for any sign of warmth before getting fertiliser supplies into the yard, with current weather conditions allowing for very little chance of spreading.

Of the small quantities that are moving, it is mainly 18:6:12 and urea that is leaving merchants’ yards.

Prices for 18:6:12 remain relatively stable, with quotes in the west at €360 and €370/t. This falls to a quote of €355/t in the east, while €360/t was quoted in the northeast. All prices were including delivery.

Urea quotes also remain unchanged from the end of February, with the majority of quotes around the country between €350 and €360/t. In general, prices have not moved much in the past few weeks.

Some merchants were reluctant to quote for CAN. However, where provided, they were generally ranging from €260 to €270/t. Some farmers have reported getting CAN for below €250/t.

Prices for 27:2.5:5 or pasturesward are generally about €100 ahead of CAN, with merchants quoting between €360 and €370/t. Cutsward or 24:2.5:10 was priced slightly higher at €365 to €375/t.

Discounts of €5 to €10/t may be got where bulk orders are purchased or where there is prompt payment for fertiliser.

Bad ground

According to a merchant in the east: “Ground is in very bad condition. There is not really any bulk fertiliser moving at the moment, but orders for small bags have gone out. Spring barley is the one thing farmers are trying to get a bit out on with small quantities of 10:8:20 and 12:8:20 moving.”

These are being quoted at approximately €370/t for 10:8:20 including sulphur while 12:8:20 including sulphur was quoted at €385/t, again including delivery.

The feeling among merchants is that if weather conditions improve there could be a real pressure to keep up with the demand.