Changes in fertilizer market forecasting factors, the growing role of geopolitics, the decreasing influence of seasonality, and the impact of climate change on the balance of nutrient needs — these were among the key topics of the 6th International Conference “Fertilizers of Ukraine.”

“The discussion focused, in particular, on the growing role of potassium due to reduced moisture, and the increasing need for sulfur as a result of stricter environmental control and the decrease of its presence in industrial emissions. There was also talk about the efficiency of micronutrient uptake and the fundamental difference in effectiveness between chelated and non-chelated metals. A lot of attention was given to new methods of forecasting demand and prices, as well as the influence of China and India on global markets,” said Dmytro Tarasiuk, Procurement Director of the Agro-Region Group, who took part in the conference.

He also highlighted the presentation by Filip Rombaut, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Agropolychim AD (the largest fertilizer producer in Bulgaria), who spoke about the growing prospects of liquid fertilizers such as UAN and APP due to their lower nutrient losses, flexibility in composition adjustments, and ease of supplementation with additional nutrients.

During his own presentation “An Agribusiness Perspective on the Fertilizer Market: What Matters for Farmers Today and Tomorrow,” Dmytro Tarasiuk shared Agro-Region’s experience of changing procurement and fertilizer use strategies throughout the course of the full-scale war. In particular, the shift went from “buying at price lows months in advance and storing long-term” to “purchasing exactly when needed for application.”

He also spoke about shaping the order portfolio and procurement plans, noting that currently, suppliers fully meet existing demand. Agro-Region is “in line” with most market trends, though there is still room to improve efficiency.