Irish farmers bought 1.14 million tonnes of fertiliser in the first three quarters of the 2025/2026 fertiliser year, a 5.5% decrease on the 1.2 million tonnes sold in the same period a year earlier, according to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) figures.

The decline in nutrient volume runs deeper. Farmers spread 381,145t of nutrient between October 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, down almost 8% year on year. The comparison is more striking against two seasons ago: the first three quarters of the 2023/2024 fertiliser year saw just 956,129t sold.

What is in the shopping basket?

Compound fertilisers accounted for 628,643t of sales over the nine months, with straights at 510,717t. Nitrogen sales reached 1.1 million tonnes, down 5% on last year's figure. Of that, over 617,000t came as compounds and almost 490,000t as straights.

Phosphorus sales fell 5% to 584,166t, while potassium dropped 6% to 643,554t.

The best-selling compounds tell a clear story about Irish grassland demand:

• 18-6-12: 136,371t
• 27-2.5-5: 107,015t
• 24-2.5-10: 87,198t

Protected and stabilised products continue to carve out share. Farmers bought over 22,000t of stabilised urea compounds and almost 56,000t of straight stabilised urea (46%) in the nine-month period. CAN remains a staple, with more than 152,000t of CAN 26% + 5% sulphur sold alongside 108,000t of CAN 27%.

Why the falling tonnage matters

Lower sales volume means less nutrient applied to Irish fields. For livestock farmers, an 8% drop in nutrient offtake points to tighter phosphorus and potassium balances on grazing ground — a factor that will show up in silage quality and subsequent reseeding decisions unless replenished.

The trend also reflects price pressure. Fertiliser costs have climbed sharply, and farmers are responding by trimming rates rather than cutting applications entirely. The sustained demand for sulphur-bearing CAN and stabilised urea suggests growers who do buy are choosing products that deliver more value per tonne through improved nitrogen use efficiency or added nutrients.

Government support is coming

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris told the Dáil on Thursday, September 24, that the government is working on supports for farmers facing soaring fertiliser and fuel costs.

He confirmed the Fuel Income Support Scheme for farmers will be extended, and said supports will also be brought forward for fertiliser and fodder. Details will be finalised in the coming days.

The move follows mounting pressure since member states approved the €540 million EU Fertiliser Action Plan in July. Ireland has been allocated almost €15.4 million in emergency assistance for farmers.

Because member states can top up EU support by up to 200% with national funds, the Irish scheme could be worth €46.2 million in total.

Farmers should watch the Dáil announcements over the coming days for scheme details, eligibility criteria and payment timelines before finalising autumn fertiliser and fodder purchases.