Fertiliser market update: current situation and price trends

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Fertiliser prices are continuing to rise amid ongoing global supply constraints, higher transport costs and reliance on imported product, with further increases expected as new stock enters the market

Horticulture

22 April 2026

Fertiliser markets continue to face significant cost inflation, with industry sources warning that further price increases are likely as existing stocks are used up and replacement product enters the market at higher cost levels.

Speaking on current conditions, Dónall Flanagan, nursery stock specialist advisor with Teagasc, said that “fertiliser costs were already rising, with specialist fertilisers mostly sourced from the Netherlands and their inputs originating in the Middle East, it is most likely that once stocks are used prices will increase.”

He added: “increased cost of transport has kicked in with surcharges both in Ireland and internationally. Bigger product sizes will clearly cost more per unit to transport and as such it might move demand to smaller pot size imports and sourcing bigger sizes in Ireland if possible.”

Industry suppliers confirm that fertiliser pricing has continued to rise across a range of product categories, with some inputs seeing substantial increases since the beginning of the year.

“In terms of pricing then certainly since the onset of the hostilities we’ve been receiving amended/updated prices from not just our fertiliser suppliers, but other input materials that either relate directly to oil/gas or are impacted due to other cost implications in the chain, such as shipping,” William Bailey, area sales manager at Klasmann-Deilmann Ireland, said.

He added: “price increases have occurred. Dependent on the product type, we’re seeing some double digit percentage increases on fertilisers currently being quoted, some of which aren’t insignificant either.”

While the market remains largely supplied, Bailey acknowledged minor disruptions to certain fertiliser product types deliveries. However, he added that contingency stock has been secured to help stabilise availability in the Irish market over the coming months.

Ireland remains fully reliant on imports for fertiliser supply, with no domestic production capacity. This structural dependency means the market is highly exposed to global price movements, currency fluctuations, and international freight costs.

Recent figures from the National Fertiliser Database show a sharp increase in imports during late 2025, as suppliers moved to secure product ahead of regulatory changes linked to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Imports of CAN rose by approximately 55%, while urea imports increased by around 260%, with 70–80% of annual requirements brought in ahead of peak demand.

“Depending on the type of fertiliser, increases in fertiliser prices have varied with the price of CAN estimated to have risen c.20% since the beginning of March whilst urea has increased by as much as 60%,” spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said.

They added: “Ireland is a relatively small market in respect of fertiliser sales and usage compared to many of our EU neighbours. No fertilisers are manufactured in Ireland, resulting in indigenous fertiliser companies being price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies.”

In response, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Martin Heydon, has recently announced a €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs. The measure is designed to support farmers, agricultural contractors, and fishers facing elevated fuel expenses, particularly during peak usage months from March to July.

Meanwhile, growers are being encouraged to work closely with advisers to optimise fertiliser use efficiency and manage input costs in what remains a highly unpredictable market environment.