Fertiliser sales increased by 5.85% for the 2020/2021 season (1 October to 30 September) to 1,685,412t, according to the Department of Agriculture.

That almost 6% increase equates to 93,194t of extra product being purchased when compared with 2019/2020, when 1,592,218t were sold.

Fertiliser sales had increased by approximately 3% in 2019/2020 compared to the previous season.

In 2018/2019, sales had declined by almost 10% on the previous season.

Sales in 2020/2021 came close to the figures for 2017/2018, when sales reached 1,714,729t.

Sales breakdown

Nitrogen fertiliser sales are estimated to be up by over 5% on the previous season. The total tonnes of nutrient nitrogen sales were at approximately 399,000t, compared to 379,519t in the 2019/2020 season.

The aim set out in Ag Climatise is to reduce nitrogen usage to 350,000t by 2025 and to 325,000t by 2030.

Nitrogen use can result in nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, and ammonia being released to the atmosphere.

In 2017/2018, fertiliser sales peaked at 1,714,729t. In that year, nutrient nitrogen sales were at 408,495t.

With fertiliser prices now at record high levels and supply issues causing concern, it is likely that fertiliser sales will decrease in the current 2021/2022 season.