Nitrogen Prices Are Climbing Again - Here’s Why It’s Time to Think Differently
- Soil Fertility Services Ltd
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest - nitrogen has always been a bit of a rollercoaster.
But in the past few years, it’s started to feel more like a ride you’d rather not be on at all.
Prices are swinging all over the place, supply lines are under pressure, and there’s a growing pile of paperwork and regulations coming down the line. If you’re wondering what 2026 will look like for fertiliser costs, you’re not alone.
Here’s a quick look at what’s going on and why a low-risk switch can help you step off the nitrogen merry-go-round.
What’s Driving Nitrogen Costs Up (Again)?
There’s a mix of stuff behind it, and not much of it is within farmers’ control.
🌍 Middle East instability
The latest tensions between Israel and Iran have already started to disrupt shipping lanes and energy flows. That matters because natural gas is the key ingredient in most nitrogen fertilisers - so any threat to global gas supplies usually ends up as a price hike for growers.
🌍 Russian supply is still restricted.
The war in Ukraine may not be as prominent in the headlines now, but it’s still disrupting the global fertiliser trade. Russia is a huge producer, and restrictions (both political and logistical) continue to limit availability. That squeezes the market and keeps prices stubborn.
🧾 CBAM tax - coming soon
Here’s one that’s not on everyone’s radar yet. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is the EU’s plan to tax high-carbon imports, and nitrogen fertiliser is firmly on the list. It’s not entirely in effect yet, but when it is, imported nitrogen is going to become even more expensive. And while the UK isn’t in the EU anymore, chances are we’ll see something similar rolled out here too.
So What Can You Do?
You can’t control world politics or global energy prices - but you can control what you apply to your land. And that’s where the alternative comes in.
We at SFS like to shout about our Bio-N; it’s a spray-applied biological inoculant packed with beneficial nitrogen-fixing microbes. It helps your plants naturally capture their own nitrogen from the atmosphere.
It doesn’t replace all your synthetic N, but it can certainly reduce how much you need. And right now, that’s worth its weight in gold.
💷 From just £27.50/ha
That’s not a typo. Bio-N is one of the most affordable ways to reduce bagged nitrogen - and still support crop growth and yield. Many growers are using it to buffer against high fertiliser prices, trialling it on a few fields, and then scaling up.
🌱 Gentle on your soil — and your carbon footprint
Less synthetic N means less pressure on your soil biology. Bio-N aligns well with regenerative practices, organic conversion plans, or sound agronomic practices. And by reducing your need for fossil-fuel-based inputs, you’re cutting emissions too — a win for carbon audits and sustainability targets.
A Smart, Low-Risk Step in the Right Direction
We’re not saying throw your fertiliser spreader in the skip. But it does make sense to build some resilience into your system — especially when global events keep moving the goalposts.
Bio-N gives you flexibility. It gives you options. And it helps you keep a lid on fertiliser costs without compromising your crop.
Fancy trying it out?
Get in touch with the SFS team — we’ll help you pick the right rate, timing, and approach for your farm.
📞 01366 384899
Let’s make 2026 the year you take back a bit of control from the fertiliser market.
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