Proposals that the Government might financially support the importation of fertiliser this winter are still under review at the Department of Agriculture.

A recent report commissioned by fertiliser importers and blenders suggested that the EU and the Irish Government should provide incentives for farmers to purchase and take deliveries of fertiliser three to six months earlier than normal.

The report by the Irish Fertiliser Manufacturers and Blenders Association claimed that fertiliser importers did not have the financial capacity to shoulder the level of risk associated with the purchase of up to one million tonnes of fertiliser between now and the spring. Ireland uses close to 1.7m tonnes of fertiliser each year.

Under review

However, Department sources said the fertiliser report was still under review, with questions remaining in Government about how the measure being sought by importers would be funded.

Although the fertiliser availability outlook improved significantly over the last 10 days following the continued drop in gas prices - which are now down to €118 to €122/kwh from a high of €350/kwh - and the resumption of CAN production in Europe, importers are still warning of serious difficulties ahead.

They point out that global production is well below pre-war levels and that the market remains volatile from an availability and price perspective.

Meanwhile, Dairygold and Kerry Group said they had no immediate plans to introduce specific schemes to facilitate the forward purchase of fertiliser, but they pointed out that existing credit arrangements covered such purchases.

“Dairygold is keeping customers informed of the potential challenges to 2023 supply to allow them plan accordingly.

"Over the past number of years, Dairygold has offered free extended credit facilities on feed and fertiliser purchases and will do the same again this year,” a Dairygold spokesman said.

“We are working to ensure that our customers will have access to fertiliser next spring and we encourage customers to discuss their needs with their local area sales manager,” he said.

'No plans' for scheme

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Kerry Group said the company had “no plans to introduce a scheme around the forward buying of fertiliser this winter”.

Tirlán recently launched a fertiliser payment deferral scheme which allows its farmer shareholders to commit now to product purchases and defer payment on an interest-free basis until mid-spring.