Western Australian grain growers are facing a dire seeding season as a major fertiliser crisis intensifies, with Summit Fertilisers becoming the latest supplier to slash deliveries.
Following a controversial move by Wesfarmers-owned CSBP, Summit has informed customers that urea ammonium nitrate shipments will be cut by up to 30% over the next three months.
The supply crunch has been triggered by third-party suppliers declaring force majeure, citing stringent export restrictions from China intended to protect its domestic agricultural sector.
The shortages are further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a region that traditionally provides over 60% of Australia's urea imports through the volatile Strait of Hormuz.
While the CBH Group maintains it has secured alternative imports to meet its 2026 commitments, the WA Farmers Federation warns that many growers are fast running out of time.
WAFarmers CEO Trevor Whittington noted that as the seeding window narrows, the likelihood of securing replacement shipments against fierce international competition is vanishing.
With urea prices surging 75% since the outbreak of war, National Farmers Federation vice-president John Hassell questioned whether the declaration of force majeure by major suppliers was a commercial strategy to avoid soaring procurement costs.
Without urgent resolution, farmers may be forced to reduce fertiliser applications or sow fewer paddocks, threatening to diminish the State's winter harvest yields and overall agricultural income.