By Lauren Henry

Chronic fertiliser shortages are hitting farmers across the region, with urea particularly difficult to source at a critical time for seeding crops.

Reliable access to diesel and fertiliser have been worsened by global disruptions from the Middle East conflict, which has led to panic buying at the bowser, and sharply rising import costs.

Disruptions at this time of year risk reduced yields, serious livestock welfare issues, and higher food prices for all.

Travis Hair, of Crop Opti in Horsham, said urea was at a real shortage at the moment.

“There’s a lot of talk that it’s probably going to stay this way for a little while still,” he said.

Mr Hair said ships carrying urea and ammonium phosphates were on their way from the Persian Gulf – which supplies about 40 per cent of Australia’s requirements – but all products were already pre-sold.

“At the moment there seems to be no sight forward of any more boats being purchased and making their way over,” he said.

“It’s going to be a real issue, unfortunately. 

“Oil prices have probably lifted over a couple of hundred dollars a tonne over the last few weeks alone, so that obviously pushes it up domestically. 

“The dollar sits quite high at the moment, and probably the thing that’s hurting the most is the energy problem, which leads to having the fuel for boats.”

Mr Hair said he was expecting a huge price jump in urea when it did become available – maybe up to $1400-$1500 a tonne.

He said investigations were taking place about sourcing product from China but that could take up to three to four months, which would be too late for Wimmera cropping.

“A few guys that did get in early and get things sorted, they’re not too bad off, but definitely everything does seem to be rising,” he said.

“I think for growers when they’re considering their nitrogen and what they’re going to need for the year, there are actually other options out there a little bit at the moment. 

“So it’s definitely worth talking to their agronomists or their rural suppliers about what they can actually get in the way of nitrogen and when they can actually get it.”

Call for action

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has called on the Labor Government to take urgent action and secure reliable supplies before critical winter cropping and livestock feeding operations suffer.

Ms Kealy said diesel and fertiliser were non-negotiable inputs for Victorian agriculture, and panic buying and supply-chain pressures had left some regional areas waiting weeks for diesel deliveries, hitting farms just as winter crop preparations reach their peak. 

She said urea prices had surged nearly 30 per cent in the past month, with supplies tightening due to ongoing instability.

“Victorian farmers cannot simply switch off production when inputs dry up. Agriculture operates every single day of the year,” she said.

 “The Allan Labor government must stop downplaying this crisis and start treating it with the urgency it demands.

“Labor’s inaction is leaving our farmers – and the food on every Victorian table – at serious risk.”

Ms Kealy said the State Government must immediately engage with the Federal Government, fuel wholesalers, and fertiliser importers, to prioritise agriculture in supply allocations, and activate contingency measures. 

Labor’s anti-price gouging laws came into effect in Victoria earlier this month, with its Servo Saver program through the Services Victoria app allowing people to find the cheapest fuel near them.

The government also plans to have more anti-price gouging officers carrying out field inspections to make sure fuel retailers are registered and are reporting.

All the data from the Servo Saver program will also go to the ACCC for investigation, via Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Premier Jacinta Allan convened an emergency sub-committee meeting of cabinet last week to prepare for worsening impacts of the Middle East conflict.

Ms Allan also chaired an industry forum with fuel suppliers, business groups and agricultural representatives to understand the situation on the ground and outline the actions the government could take, with heads of departments and agencies developing continuity plans for energy, agriculture and other key sectors.

She said they were working closely with the Federal Government to monitor the fuel supply situation, claiming last week there was ‘enough fuel for normal demand’.

The government has also appointed a ‘class two controller’ – a dedicated resource within the State Control Centre able to monitor and prepare – and escalate as necessary.

The entire March 25, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 25, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!