Sean Cole - Advocacy and Rural Affairs Manager
Video Transcript:
We're just putting this video out as we've become aware over the last days and weeks, that Urea supply is very tight in Australia due to a series of factors, but in particular due to the fact we've had better rains than expected in some parts of the country, which has then seen substantial up lifts in demand for Urea and other nitrogen based fertilisers.
Essentially this extra demand has run down the supply pipeline and obviously caught many off guard. There'll be different scenarios in different states, but we do understand that Urea will be fairly tight for some of those who haven't got anything ordered or committed between now and potentially the end of September, depending on your situation. We encourage growers to remain very close to their retailers and suppliers and make sure that you're talking to your supplier regularly to see if there's been any changes in terms of supply.
We know that a lot of the suppliers out there who we've been talking to at length and in recent days, we know they're working very hard, getting new supply online and getting some more vessels on the rotation. So I'd like to just emphasise that they are doing their very best and they're also in the business of selling as much Urea as possible. So definitely a full court press there. But there will be some kinks in the supply chain.
Other options in the meantime that growers might consider would be, you know, talking to your agronomist or who you normally rely on for advice if it isn't yourself around your fertiliser program plan B if you can't get plan A and maybe potentially looking at other formulations of fertiliser such as DAP and things that do contain a nitrogen component, although you'd only want to look at that if it makes financial sense for you. And once again, seek advice on that.
Finally, I'd just like to say that GrainGrowers has been actively pursuing a more robust supply chain here in Australia and pushing for domestic manufacturing of inputs, particularly fertiliser, if economically viable and there are some projects on the horizon. But with Urea, it's quite some way out. So with the closure of Gibson Island, you know, we've got quite a time lag between now and new substantial projects and one of the big advantages of domestic manufacturing is obviously substantially shorter lead times for times just like this.
Otherwise, we'd just I just want to wish everybody well and emphasise to have a plan B if you aren't able to secure the extra nitrogen. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. We’ll be in touch if we have any updates. But otherwise, just wishing everybody well and we understand it's a stressful time for those that are having to work through the current situation.
Thanks.
