Fertiliser prices are coming under sustained pressure as a major stand-off between farmers and merchants plays out across the country.

The cost of urea has generally eased back €50/t to €850/t in the south over the last week.

However, farmers in north Tipperary have been approached in their yards to buy urea for as low as €740/t. These sales reps are not from any of the major co-ops.

Meanwhile, merchants are quoting as low as €800/t for urea in border areas as the option of buying product in Northern Ireland is keeping a firm lid on prices.

CAN is available for as low as €790/t in Munster, with prices ranging up to €810-820/t.

Despite these reductions, farmers are still refusing to commit to volume purchases of fertiliser at the current high quotes, and are convinced that prices will come back by a further €50/t over the coming 10 days.

However, co-ops and merchants are adamant that prices will not be reviewed for fertiliser that is already in their yards or that has been bought on contract.

There has also been a reluctance on the part of the co-ops and merchants to publish price lists.

Very little fertiliser is moving as a consequence of this high-stakes game of chicken, with farmers just buying enough product to meet their immediate requirements.

In terms of prices, the keenest deals appear to be available in border counties.

Urea is reported to have been bought by farmers in Donegal from northern merchants for €625/t plus 20% VAT, which works out at around €740-750/t.

Meanwhile, customers of Maudabawn Co-op near Cootehill in Cavan are paying €800/t for both urea and CAN.

Farmers who have bought small volumes from the co-ops report a definite easing of prices

Although Dairygold, Tirlán, Kerry Group, Aurivo, Arrabawn and Lakeland Dairies all declined to outline fertiliser prices when contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal, farmers who have bought small volumes from the co-ops report a definite easing of prices.

Glanbia is understood to be quoting €865/t for urea, €925/t for protected urea, €790/t for CAN, €890/t for 18-6-12 and pasture sward, and €900 for cut sward.

One Dairygold supplier is reported to have paid €790/t for a 20t load of CAN. Another Dairygold farmer purchased urea for €850/t and protected urea for €910/t.

Meanwhile, Tipperary Co-op and Arrabawn are selling urea to farmers for €870/t.

These prices tally with those being quoted by merchants in Munster and south Leinster.

Farmer buyers say merchants in the southeast are quoting €850/t for 18-6-12. Close to €850/t is also being charged for 14-7-14.

Merchants in the midlands are quoting €860-870t for urea, with 27-2.5-5 selling for €865-870/t and 18-6-12 at €865-870. Nitrogen 27% is being quoted at €780-790/t.