Australian Government acts to improve fertilizer availability

The Fertilizer Supply Working Group is intended to build on work previously underway to improve the availability of fertilizer, with measures to include:

• Amending legislation to underwrite the purchase of fuel and fertilizer by the private sector.
• Working with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to monitor and co-ordinate fertilizer supply.
• Joint engagement by the government and the industry with alternative suppliers of fertilizer.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the government was working ‘day and night’ with Australian farmers, fishers and producers to help manage the impact of the Middle East conflict.

“Our farmers and producers feed millions of people both here and abroad, but events like the conflict in the Middle East reaffirm why we cannot be complacent.

“That’s why we’ve taken immediate action to help safeguard Australia’s food production system, and to support our farmers and producers – including to help get fuel and fertilizer into our regions. We recognise the disruption the conflict in the Middle East has had on our farmers and producers, which is why we are deferring the commencement of the phased transition to full cost recovery for export regulatory services for one year.”

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to establish a fertilizer taskforce, commit to fertilizer underwriting, and the government’s promise to defer the phased transition to full cost recovery for export regulatory services until 1 July 2027.

The phased transition was originally due to begin on 1 July 2026.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre said the package of measures provides welcome breathing space for farmers and exporters facing sustained input cost pressures and market uncertainty.

“These are practical decisions we’ve called for that will deliver more certainty for farmers and exporters at a time when margins are under real pressure,” McIntyre added.

“It reflects the realities facing agriculture right now, including the difficulties in securing critical inputs like fertilizer, which are needed for food production.”

McIntyre said the NFF had been strongly advocating on these issues as part of a broader push to reduce cost pressures across the supply chain caused by the conflict in the Middle East and the disappointing European Union trade deal.

The NFF said it will continue to engage with the Australia Government on long-term cost recovery settings to ensure they remain fair, transparent and do not undermine agricultural competitiveness.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/materials-handling/01042026/australian-government-acts-to-improve-fertilizer-availability/