The last few years have shown how difficult it can be for farmers when there is disruption in fertiliser supplies. It can lead to shortages and a need to search for alternatives. Higher costs then mean a rise in food prices.

Unfortunately it can be difficult to insulate against shocks in the industry. There can be any number of unpredictable elements that have an impact on production. For example it could be energy prices or supplies, transport issues, weather, war, labour shortages, and even global pandemics.

However, there is some good news for farmers around the world. Yara International, one of the largest manufacturers in the world, has revealed they will build a massive new manufacturing plant in Howden, West Yorkshire. It will become the largest specialist fertiliser facility in the UK once it is up and running.

The plant

The project is a £50m investment. It will create a facility that is almost 300,000 square feet. It will include a new manufacturing plant, offices, and warehouses.

This new plant will focus on producing Yara’s YaraVita micronutrient fertilisers and biostimulants. These products aim to deliver outstanding field performance by supplying high quality nutrients with additional elements like boron, magnesium, zinc, and more.

Yara already has a global centre at Pocklington. However, demand for their fertiliser products is growing around the world. So, they will create the new plant to double their production capacity.

The development

The new facility will be built on Phase Two of Ozone Business Park in Howden after an agreement with Horncastle Group. It has been chosen because it is close to the Pocklington facility and will provide the high operational power the plant will need.

The site will give Yara fantastic access to one of the best logistics hubs in North East England. For example, the M62 is nearby and provides easy connections to the M1. As a result, there is quick access to all other parts of England and beyond.

Yorkshire’s Caddick Construction has won a £28m contract for the development. They will create all the buildings on the site. The goal is for this stage to be complete by the summer of 2024. Then there would be fit our works with a start up date for fertiliser production at the end of 2025.

The project will be great for the area. Initially it will create jobs for the construction. Then there will be roles once the plant is ready to begin operations. However, there are no numbers for total job creation just yet.

Do you want to order fertiliser?

JS Hubbuck Ltd has been dealing with fertilisers for decades. It remains one of the cornerstones of our business, ensuring we can offer supplies for various needs. We also now stock a wide range of other goods, from footwear to animal health products.

So, if you need fertiliser or other items to help with farming, speak to us. We can even advise you if you’re unsure which products to choose.