The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is urging farmers to secure fertiliser supplies for spring 2026. It comes as market indicators suggest that geopolitical and logistical pressures could constrain availability if demand is concentrated into a short ordering window.
A change in seasonal weather patterns has seen growing conditions of 40% more sunshine in 2025 and 40% less rainfall possibly becoming the norm, increasing crop development and compressing delivery timelines, early ordering is vital to allow sufficient time for sourcing, shipping, and delivery.
“Suppliers need clear demand signals to plan effectively,” said Jo Gilbertson, head of fertiliser at AIC. “Without early engagement, distribution networks may struggle to meet demand within narrow timeframes. This is not about assigning blame, it’s about recognising the realities of longer distribution lines and processing capacity, and working together to ensure farm productivity is protected”.
New EU tariffs on Russian fertiliser and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are expected to influence European supply chains. If EU producers prioritise domestic markets, UK access may be affected. These factors, combined with logistical constraints such as daily bagging and delivery limits, underscore the importance of proactive planning.
AIC’s call to action
- Order Early: Secure your fertiliser requirements as soon as possible to give suppliers time to plan, source, and deliver efficiently.
- Stay Informed: Maintain regular contact with your supplier for the latest market and logistics updates.
- Plan Ahead: Assess your cropping needs now and make purchasing decisions based on anticipated requirements for spring 2026.
- Take Delivery: Do not delay taking delivery when it is offered to you; have it on farm in advance of spring.
