Last year when input costs on Irish farms rose sharply due to the war in Ukraine, the amount of fertiliser sold in the country declined by 18%.
That is according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office issued this morning.
1.4 million tonnes of fertiliser was sold last year, which is a decline from the most recent peak of 1.7 million tonnes in 2021.
Within the fertiliser sold, nitrogen and phosphorous content were down substantially.
Both substances are essential for proper plant and root development, but can also negatively affect water bodies, according to Clare O'Hara from the CSO.
"In 2022 total fertiliser sales decreased by 18% to 1.4 million tonnes. Nitrogen content was down 14% at 343,193 tonnes, and phosphorus content fell by 26% to 34,240 tonnes. Fertilisers are added to soil to provide crops with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These nutrients enhance crop production but can also be lost from agricultural soil to groundwater, surface water and air, contributing to environmental pollution. Loss of nutrients to the environment is affected by the amount of rainfall at the time of fertiliser application," she said.
THE CSO figures also show lime sales were up 4%.to 1.4 million tonnes.
Lime is applied to soils to improve the efficiency of fertilisers, and reduce overall need for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
Lime application does lead to CO2 emissions, but he overall intention is to reduce pollution.
