Fertiliser supply congested after east coast demand boost

Rain on the east coast has increased demand for fertiliser.

Slow supply: All companies should be able to supply fertiliser, it is timing that is being affected, says VFF president David Jochinke.

GRAIN growers are seeing some “congestion” at ports for fertiliser supplies following an unexpected boost in east coast demand.

That is according to Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke, who said there was a significant demand in supplies from the east coast after receiving rain, which wasn’t expected at the time orders were put in.

He said concerns around getting supply home due to the coronavirus pandemic was also coming into play.

“We are trying to get the Government to recognise that the supply needs to get to farmers, and there is no intention of restricting that,” Mr Jochinke said.

“But that still doesn’t alleviate the concerns of farmers.”

Mr Jochinke said all companies should be able to supply fertiliser, it was timing that was being affected.

“If the supply chain remains strong then we won’t see a blockage,” he said.

“But it is on the knocker.”

However, one thing Mr Jochinke said he did not want to see was companies begin to profit from the situation.

“I don’t want to see this happening to farmers after the east coast drought,” he said.

Meanwhile, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers president Stephan Titze said supply chains were continuing to operate.

“Our fertiliser distribution centres throughout eastern Australia have the capacity to supply thousands of tonnes per day to customers and they are as busy as usual during this time of the year,” Mr Titze said.

“Good rains in eastern Australia over recent weeks have been timely and with farmers getting ready to plant their crops, our fertiliser distribution centre teams are working hard to dispatch fertilisers safely and efficiently.”