Supply fears in the fertiliser trade are hitting prices or, more to the point, are causing a lack of prices.

Some fertiliser companies have withdrawn prices to co-ops and merchants amid uncertainty in the sector.

Industry sources have outlined tight stocks of CAN in the EU, shipping delays and a rise in natural gas prices as some of the reasons for the disruption to supplies and prices.

COVID-19 is also adding to supply chain disruption.

Clearer picture

A clearer picture on prices should emerge in the coming weeks and a settling of the market is expected towards the end of the month.

In the meantime, farmers will avail of prices from their local merchants who have stocks or orders in.

Supplies are thought to be in good order up until the end of March, one of the busiest times for sales, and it is hoped that any disruption to supply chains will be cleared by this time.

It was also reported that a €20/t to €40/t increase was expected depending on products in the coming weeks

Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal reported a range in prices of €350/t to €355/t for protected urea; €315/t to €325/t for standard urea; €215/t to €230/t for CAN; and €312/t to €330/t for 18:6:12.

It was also reported that a €20/t to €40/t increase was expected depending on products in the coming weeks.

Buying early, where possible, may help towards cost reduction on farm this season.

Increasing freight rates

This week, the International Grains Council reported rising time charter and fuel costs, which were resulting in multi-month high freight rates.

On 13 January, the grains and oilseeds freight index reached its highest since October 2019.

It was up 13% from late November 2020.