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Fertilisers: Agriculture

Asked by Sarah DykeLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 23 April 2026UIN 127563

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the volume of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser held in storage in the UK.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

The UK is not facing an immediate fertiliser supply issue, but price rises have been felt immediately. The UK imported below 1% of its fertilisers directly from the Gulf region in 2025 and so direct imports from the region are negligible.

Fertiliser delivery by suppliers is based on orders placed by farmers according to the crops planned to be grown, with typically no long-term storage of fertiliser. Defra is in contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and is monitoring overall supply to the UK. Through its close relationships with industry, the Government remains ready to support businesses as effectively as possible in these challenging times.

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