There is a mixed picture emerging from different suppliers about changes to both feed and fertiliser prices in NI.

Several feed mills have indicated that price rises of £5 to £12/t will be added to ration prices from next week.

However, other compounders have said price lists will remain unchanged over the coming weeks.

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These suppliers tend to either have more forward buying cover or they did not apply any price cuts last autumn.

The main issue driving ration price rises is the cost of high fibre ingredients. Soya hulls are up £20/t and are costing £215/t on spot markets. Sugar beet has seen a similar jump and is around £240/t.

Towards the end of 2025, soya was the main concern in the feed trade as supplies were hard to secure and quotes reached as high as £380/t.

However, the last-minute decision to postpone the implementation of new EU laws on deforestation settled soya markets and the ingredient can now be bought in the low £300’s.

Fertiliser

Conflicting signals are also emerging from fertiliser suppliers, with some merchants applying price cuts in recent days in a bid to move stock.

However, most others have let price lists remain unchanged and reports are emerging about fertiliser companies talking prices up on the back of uncertainty with supplies.

That said, the cost of natural gas, which is a key input for fertiliser production, has continued to slide and is now 45% lower than the peak seen in February 2025.

Purchases

Appetite for early fertiliser purchases from NI farmers is also low. With cashflow tightening on local dairy farms, the main concern at present is paying tax bills which are due later this month.

CAN is currently available to buy for £340/t and quotes for urea range from £425 to £435/t. Compound products, such as 27-4-4 plus sulphur, is available for around £410/t.

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