Ballance is holding fertiliser prices until at least April, Chief Executive Larry Bilodeau said today that holding the price will allow farmers to plan autumn applications without worrying about rising costs.
‘Taking into consideration the cost of the product we have on hand, we have delayed our March price review, and we will endeavour to hold prices as long as possible throughout the autumn season,’ said Mr Bilodeau.
‘There has been talk in the marketplace about price rises, but we believe it is too early to make a call on where prices are heading. In the past we have seen a panic buying situation when prices have started to climb and we want to avoid this in the coming months.
‘Our focus at present is to ensure all of our shareholders are able to take advantage of the positive market by giving them certainty around pricing for the next couple of months.’
‘The long-term outlook for fertiliser prices is impossible to predict, and we are watching for short-term trends on a week-by-week basis.’
Mr Bilodeau said stable domestic fertiliser prices will enable more farmers to apply fertiliser to meet their production needs, with farmers in the sheep and beef sector finally getting the opportunity to apply much-needed maintenance fertiliser.
Autumn urea applications also provide an opportunity to support a longer milking season and promotion of good covers for the coming winter.
Strong returns and forecasts for sheep, beef and dairy, coupled with favourable weather have contributed to a feeling of optimism among farmers, after struggling with poor returns and natural disasters through 2010.
‘We are looking ahead with increased optimism as profitability returns to most of the farming sector, and we are delighted to be able to assist farmers to make the most of any gains experienced.’
24 February 2011
