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
20.10.10 & 27.5.5


Blended
25.5.5


Liquid
Nitrogen,
37kilos/100
litres o
r
29.6%N/t


Jan ÂŁ157



Feb ÂŁ158.50 Mar ÂŁ160


ÂŁ195 granular
ÂŁ165 prills


ÂŁ147


where available


ÂŁ150


From ÂŁ146


No market yet


 


































































NPK


Jan (add ÂŁ3 for March)

Imported
27.6.6

Imported
32.5.0


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
27.6.6.


Northern
Ireland

ÂŁ200 ÂŁ150

ÂŁ175-180 (anticipated)

ÂŁ165-175 ÂŁ175-180

 





















































Republic of
Ireland*


CAN, large price variations


24.2½.10 blend


Urea
Granular, non EU          


27.2½ .5


 

 â‚¬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

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