Fertilizer Australia warns of urea supply issues for the winter crop planting if USA-Israel attack on Iran is not resolved in coming days
Fertilizer Australia has warned that continued interruption to supply of fertiliser cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz is causing increasing uncertainty for future nitrogen fertiliser availability for farmers.
This situation has been highly aggravated as more than 60% of the urea fertiliser imported to Australia travels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The industry is aware there are several shipments stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and already cancellations of future shipments that were expected to travel through the Persian Gulf.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fertilizer Australia Stephen Annells said if supply interruptions were not resolved in coming days the country is at risk of ongoing urea shortages.
“Fertilizer Australia member companies are actively seeking to access increased quantities of urea from other manufacturing and supply regions, as well as sourcing alternative nitrogen products for farmers.
However, we cannot guarantee these efforts will fully meet the needs of farmers in the medium term,” Stephen Annells cautioned.
Given these uncertain circumstances, Fertilizer Australia is recommending that farmers plan a delay of at least 90-120 days to source nitrogen fertilisers.
“Farmers need to be having conversations now with their local supplier about what might be available for in-crop nitrogen application,” Stephen Annells pointed out.
“We urge growers to reach out to local agronomists who can assist in navigating nutrient use efficiency and where required, recommending alternative nitrogen products”, he added.
Fertilizer Australia suggest, Fertcare Approved Agronomists are uniquely equipped with the expertise to enhance fertiliser management, optimise crop yields, and support sustainable agricultural practices.
As uncertainty persists around the supply and price of nitrogen fertilisers such as urea, it is crucial for farmers and growers to focus on improving nitrogen use efficiency.
Better management of nitrogen resources not only enhances productivity but also reduces dependence on an uncertain supply situation.
