Irish waiting on fert
THE SPRING usage period accounts for over 80% of fertiliser sales in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, in contrast to Great Britain.
The trade has been anxiously watching the rapidly rising price patterns across Europe, and nothing has yet encouraged the merchant to buy stocks or commit to cargoes.
As in Britain, Ireland is faced with an unknown quantity in terms of market volumes this spring.
Indeed, more so because grassland farmers provide a higher percentage volume of total market sales.
These farmers are still unable to commit because of CAP reform and its impact on decision making.
They are also being encouraged to review fertiliser policy by Government advice based on the environmental impacts of phosphate and nitrogen use.
So the merchant cannot gauge the market volume or market pricing, and the blender is unable to plan, not knowing the cost of imported raw materials.
But the culture of settling merchant prices retrospectively mitigates unknown import costs to a degree.
This practice, once conveniently blamed on IFI, has continued since the demise of that state owned producer.
Whilst it ensures a margin for the merchant, it may not be in the best interests of the farmer.
Benchmark prices for Ireland (below) have crept up by ÂŁ5-10/t, while the hiatus in Britain continues as the trade prepares pricing for the rest of the season.
CURRENT PRICES (ÂŁ/t)
Nitrogen (Domestic) N (SP5) 34.5% | Domestic AN Spring | Imported urea. | Imported AN Lithuan | Blended | Blended | Liquid | |||||||||||
Jan ÂŁ157 | Feb ÂŁ158.50 Mar ÂŁ160 | ÂŁ195 granular | ÂŁ147 where available | ÂŁ150 | From ÂŁ146 | No market yet |
NPK | Jan (add ÂŁ3 for March) | Imported 27.6.6 | Imported | |||||||||
Complex 25.5.5 | ÂŁ154 | No supplies | No supplies | |||||||||
15.15.20 | ÂŁ168 |
| ||||||||||
20.10.10/ 27.5.5 | ÂŁ158 |
| ||||||||||
17.17.17 | ÂŁ173 |
|
Trace elements | 0.24.24 | TSP (47%P2O5) | Muriate of Potash (60%K2O) |
Copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt Iodine and sodium Per acre pack ÂŁ11.10 | Blended ÂŁ126-135 | ÂŁ150 | ÂŁ130 |
Ireland
Benchmark prices. Compounds out of season.
| Urea, existing stocks only | CAN | 24.6.12 aftercut | 25.5.5
| Complex compounds |
Northern | ÂŁ200 | ÂŁ150 | ÂŁ175-180 (anticipated) | ÂŁ165-175 | ÂŁ175-180 |
Republic of | CAN, large price variations | 24.2½.10 blend | Urea | 27.2½ .5 | |
| €220 | €240-250+ | €270-280 (dependant on source and quality) | €240-250 (CCF) €240 import blend |
*Note in the Republic of Ireland nutrients are expressed as elements not oxides. Analyses will not be directly comparable with those used in the UK.
Note All illustrated prices are based upon 24 tonne loads for immediate payment. Prices for smaller loads and those with credit terms will vary considerably.
Source: Bridgewater