Sharp rise in fertiliser sales

Farmers are responding to temperatures picking up across the country over the past few days with a sharp increase in fertiliser sales.

Merchants envisage this continuing for 10 days to two weeks, with more farmers entering the market as land dries out in areas with more marginal soil types.

The market is also likely to be more concentrated, with field work and closing ground for silage occurring at the same time.

For the most part, discounts of between €5/t and €10/t can be got when fertiliser is paid for in cash. However, some merchants are only offering this discount on compound fertilisers. This is the case across the country.

Another trend throughout the country is very little variation in the cost per tonne between fertiliser sold in small 50kg bags or in half-tonne bags.

18:6:12 is trading at €380/t delivered, on credit, with highs of €400 in some parts of the west and south.

A low of €370/t was quoted as a collection price from a merchant in Ulster, while one farmer from Connacht reported being quoted €400/t on credit, but achieved a price of €380/t when he paid with cash.

Large differences are reported in the price of urea, with highs of €370/t and lows of €320/t. Prices are localised, with the majority averaging around €350/t.

There are strong signs though of scope to negotiate on price for bulk or large orders, with some merchants keen to clear volumes before the main season that most farmers prefer to apply urea within comes to an end.

CAN is being priced in the main between €270/t and €300/t. The general price of 10:10:20 is €415/t and this is consistent in the majority of the country, with slightly higher prices reported in south Munster.

24:2.5:10 is priced at €385/t, with farmers in Connacht reporting prices above €400. The price for 27:2.5:10 is €375, with little variation between merchants.

From our price survey, it is important to ring around, as there are large differences between merchants and deals can be agreed when cash is paid.

As this is not possible for all farmers, the details of the credit should also be examined closely to ensure you are getting the best deal. What seems like good value now may not be when the fine print is read.

Meanwhile, some merchants are also reporting more seed moving in recent days, with the upturn in weather allowing tilling to resume. Merchants also point to some variable sales, with some tillage farmers still undecided on whether to plant when faced with a later planting date and poor market prospects.