Government Consults on Fertiliser Tariff Suspensions
The UK Government is consulting on potential changes to fertiliser import tariffs as part of a broader programme of temporary tariff suspensions on selected agricultural and food products.
The wider programme is intended to respond to recent pressures affecting supply chains and prices, including disruption linked to the Middle East conflict. Initial measures were announced on 30 April 2026, with further products identified on 21 May 2026. Across the overall programme, suspensions are expected to be time-limited to 31 December 2028, with consultation ongoing before final decisions are made.
Focus on fertilisers
Within this programme, the Government has identified fertilisers as an area for potential targeted measures, reflecting their role in agricultural production, input costs and food supply.
The current proposal under consideration is a temporary suspension of import tariffs on a defined range of fertiliser products. The aim is to assess whether such measures could help address input cost pressures associated with recent market conditions.
Proposed approach
The approach being considered for fertilisers differs from that of the wider tariff suspension programme:
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Duration: Likely to be short term (around one year)
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Scope: Based on a defined list of products
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Exclusion: Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) is not currently included
This is aligned with a broader review of lower-level tariffs, often in the range of 6–6.5 per cent, alongside consideration of domestic and international market factors.
Products under consideration
The indicative list includes a range of nitrogen, phosphate and compound fertilisers commonly used in UK agriculture, including:
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Urea (solid and aqueous forms)
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Ammonium sulphate
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Nitrogen, phosphate and potash (NPK) fertilisers
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Diammonium phosphate (DAP)
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Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)
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Nitrogen and phosphate (NP), phosphate and potash (PK), and nitrogen and potash (NK) compound fertilisers
Tariffs on these products vary depending on composition, generally ranging from 2.00 to 6.50 per cent.
Consultation and next steps
The Government is seeking views from stakeholders across the supply chain, including fertiliser suppliers and distributors. Evidence gathered through the consultation will inform:
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The range of products covered by any suspension
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Whether and how measures are implemented
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The duration and structure of any changes
Decisions will take account of market impacts, supply chain considerations and wider economic and trade factors.
You can respond to the call for input by completing the online survey by 23:59 on 24 June 2026.
AIC supports measures that genuinely reduce input costs for UK agriculture, but these must be delivered in a way that maintains a stable and functioning market. Any tariff suspension should provide clarity and predictability, avoid distorting domestic market structures, and recognise fertiliser’s essential role in food security. It is also important that there is a coherent approach across nitrogen products, including reconsideration of the current exclusion of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). While short-term measures can help, their impact may be limited without broader market stability and clear, consistent policy direction.
AIC will continue to engage with the process, and a Member briefing will follow providing additional information and analysis of the proposals and their potential implications.
For more information: Call for input on goods for cost of living tariff suspensions - GOV.UK
Author
Jo Gilbertson
Jo Gilbertson is AIC’s Head of Fertiliser and is based at our Head Office in Peterborough.
Jo is responsible for the management and co-ordination of all matters relating to the production and distribution of fertilisers on behalf of Members.
Graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Health, he has additional post graduate qualifications in air pollution control, health and safety, advanced negotiation skills, and quality assurance management.
