Ukraine fertilizer prices are rising ahead of the spring sowing season, increasing financial pressure on farmers across the country. Higher fuel costs and limited fertiliser supply are pushing cultivation expenses higher. Agricultural experts warn that farmers may have to pay significantly more than expected this season.
Ukraine Fertilizer Prices Increase Farming Costs
According to Denys Marchuk, deputy head of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, rising fuel prices alone could increase cultivation costs by about ₴1,400 per hectare. In addition, farmers may face higher expenses due to increasing Ukraine fertilizer prices.
Spring fieldwork has already started in southern regions of the country. However, many areas in central and northern Ukraine remain covered with snow or frozen soil. This has delayed the deployment of agricultural machinery to the fields.
Producers say active sowing in these regions may begin one to two weeks later than last year. Despite the delay, experts believe the situation is manageable. Spring crops can be planted until early May. Once conditions improve, farmers will need to work quickly to complete sowing operations.
Experts estimate that farmers will have only 45 to 50 days to complete the planting process. If operations proceed efficiently, Ukraine could still achieve last year’s level of about 13 million hectares of spring crops.
Fertilizer Supply Challenges During Sowing Season
Rising Ukraine fertilizer prices are also linked to supply challenges. Restrictions on maritime transport are affecting fertiliser shipments. Some fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate, face transport limitations because they are considered potentially explosive.
Industry representatives say Ukraine currently lacks sufficient alternatives such as calcium ammonium nitrate. This shortage is creating additional challenges for farmers preparing for the sowing campaign.
The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council has asked the Ministry of Economy to coordinate with the Navy and the Military-Civil Administration of the Odesa region. The goal is to allow Ukrainian ports to receive ships carrying fertiliser cargo.
However, the required permits have not yet been issued. As a result, the fertiliser supply situation may not improve during the current sowing season.
Fuel Prices Add More Pressure on Farmers
Fuel costs are also rising sharply. Previously, wholesale diesel prices were around ₴55 per litre. Now prices range between ₴74 and ₴79 per litre.
Farmers typically use about 70 litres of fuel to cultivate one hectare of land. This means fuel costs alone add around ₴1,400 per hectare to production expenses.
For a medium-sized farm cultivating about 1,000 hectares, this translates into additional costs of around ₴1.4 million. Smaller farms are particularly affected because they often lack large reserves of fuel and agricultural inputs.
Global developments are also influencing Ukraine fertilizer prices. Rising natural gas prices are pushing fertiliser production costs higher. Gas is a key feedstock used in producing nitrogen fertilisers.
Experts estimate farmers may have to pay 20–25 percent more for fertilisers than originally planned. Continued geopolitical tensions could further affect fertiliser markets and energy prices.
Despite these challenges, government officials say farmers still have reserves of key agricultural inputs. These stocks may support agricultural operations for several weeks or even months during the sowing campaign.
