Earlier this month the Agricultural Industry Confederation (AIC) and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) both gave a recommendation about fertiliser for spring 2026. They are urging people to order as soon as possible to ensure supplies are on farm ready for the season. It will reduce the chance of the delays some had at the start of this year.

AIC warning

The AIC’s recommendation came at the start of the month. They had a number of key points, primarily the advice to engage with suppliers early. It will make it easier to see what will be available and plan ahead. As a result, it will help to safeguard production next spring. Plus, they said it is important to stay informed and take delivery of fertilisers early.

As well as the warning, the AIC gave reasons for ordering fertilisers as soon as possible. Crucially, there are issues like geopolitical and logistical pressure. Both could have an impact on availability and delivery times. They could worsen if there is a big wave of demand. New EU tariffs on Russia will have an affect too; it could shift attention to domestic producers, impacting supplies to the UK.

It’s also important to react to the tricky weather conditions we’ve seen in 2025. Notably, there was 40% more sun and 40% less rain. That has a huge impact on growing conditions, speeding up crop development. Some farmers were beginning to harvest much sooner than normally this year. There is potential that these conditions could become the new norm. If so, farmers will need to adapt when they order fertiliser to maintain production.

NFU response

Responding to the AIC’s warning, the NFU said they hope the whole supply chain can work together to secure supplies for farmers. This includes producers, suppliers, and delivery providers.

Crucially, the NFU said it is important to learn lessons from 2025. They said there were “frustrating delays” in the last season. So, they agree with the AIC recommendation to get supplies on farm as soon as possible before spring 2026.

However, the NFU also spoke about the difficult situation for farmers. There are major problems with low confidence and profitability, especially for combinable crops. Plus, input costs are high. It has an impact on cash flow and means many people are ordering fertiliser late. This can lead to smaller delivery windows and potential delays.

Ultimately, spring 2026 could be a very tricky season. Acting early to secure supplies will always be best. It is also a good idea to get advice and support if you need any information.

Talk to us about fertiliser

JS Hubbuck Ltd has been a vital link in the supply chain for generations. We began our business focusing on delivering fertilisers to farms across our region and in parts of Scotland. Over the decades we’ve expanded to stock various other products, but we still excel at the core offering. We do our best to support clients and advise them about everything we have to offer.

So, if you need fertiliser, speak to us. Like the AIC and NFU, we recommend engaging early to give you the best chance of avoiding delays in spring.