Despite the recent and forecast future reductions in energy prices, a weaker euro means that fertiliser prices in 2016 are forecast to be unchanged relative to 2015, according to Teagasc.
Teagasc says the static prices is down to two countervailing effects.
It had been expected that fertiliser prices would rise in 2015, on the basis of the weakening of the euro versus the US dollar and the fact that the EU is a price taker in terms of fertiliser prices.
In other words, world prices determine EU prices.
However, Teagasc says the fall in oil prices which began to accelerate in early 2015 precipitated a fall in gas prices. Gas is by far the largest cost component of nitrogen-based fertilisers.
So while world fertiliser prices fell in US dollar terms the price reduction in euro terms was minimal due to the weaker value of the euro in 2015, it says.
According to Teagasc’s outlook for 2016 stable prices and usage levels mean that its forecast for total expenditure on fertiliser in 2016 is for it to remain static.
This year, nitrogen fertiliser sales were relatively static in comparison with 2014. Teagasc says it seems that the good weather conditions of 2015 have meant that farmers did not need to increase nitrogen usage.
Pasture and forage costs typically comprise about 20% of total production costs on dairy farms. Fertiliser purchases comprise about half of the pasture and forage cost element, with contractor costs accounting for most of the remainder.
