Australian Government Fast-Tracks Fertiliser Imports to Save the 2026 Harvest

With urea prices skyrocketing past $1,000 and Middle Eastern supply lines choked by the Hormuz closure, Australian farmers are facing a race against the clock.

Tugboats assist the 'Oriental Treasure' bulk carrier ship through Newcastle Port in Newcastle, Australia, on July 30, 2015. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The federal government has announced emergency measures to fast-track fertiliser imports, aiming to bypass port bottlenecks and secure supply as Australian farmers head into a critical winter sowing period.

Under the changes, border processes for imported fertiliser will be streamlined to reduce delays without—officials insist—weakening Australia’s strict biosecurity standards.

The move is designed to cut port clearance times, lower administrative costs for importers at a time when global supply chains are under unprecedented strain.

Streamlining the Border

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed on April 16 that the reforms were developed in direct consultation with industry leaders to address the dual-threat of administrative delays and geopolitical instability.

“We have engaged closely with industry to establish these changes, and appreciate Fertilizer Australia’s commitment to practical collaboration and problem solving,” Collins said.

The new framework, established with Fertilizer Australia, includes:

• Offshore certification to confirm shipments are free from biosecurity risks
• Targeted sampling requirements for higher-risk imports, and
• Simplified registration and inspection processes.

Officials say the changes will maintain existing requirements for imported fertiliser to be free from contaminants, ensuring biosecurity is not compromised.

Geopolitical Shocks and Price Surges

The timing of the reform is a response to a deteriorating global situation. Roughly 20-30 percent of the world’s fertiliser supply—including essential urea, ammonia and phosphate—comes from the Middle East. Recent disruptions, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have sent shockwaves through the market.

For Australian growers, the impact has been immediate and expensive. Prices for urea surged from approximately $675 per tonne in February to more than $1,000 by late March, adding significant cost pressure for growers.

Professor Marit Kragt, from the Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development at The University of Western Australia, said the disruption highlights Australia’s heavy reliance on imports.

“Timing is everything in farming. Many Australian farmers are only weeks away from sowing,” she said. “Even if fertiliser can be sourced from elsewhere in the world, it may not arrive in time.”

Diversifying the Supply Chain

In tandem with border reforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently raised the prospect of increasing imports from Brunei.

“At the Brunei Fertilizer Industries, we had the opportunity to talk firsthand about the potential for an increase in Australia receiving fertiliser,” he told reporters during a recent visit to Bandar Seri Begawan. “We had very positive discussions and that will continue.”

Industry Backs Faster Processing

Industry bodies have welcomed the faster processing, noting that even a few days of delay at the prt can result in missed planting windows and reduced crop yields.

Stephen Annells, chief executive of Fertilizer Australia, said the the collaboration ensures that biosecurity remains a priority while acknowledging the commercial reality of the farming calendar.

“Fertilizer Australia is committed to working alongside the government, ensuring timely access to fertiliser for Australian farmers,” he said.