The EU Fertiliser Action Plan addresses challenges relating to fertiliser affordability, supply volatility, and import dependency within the European Union. The Plan seeks to establish a partnership between fertiliser producers, farmers, Member States, and other relevant stakeholders to implement short-term measures aimed at ensuring the affordability and security of fertiliser supplies. At the same time, it forms part of a broader medium- to long-term strategy intended to strengthen domestic production capacity, promote more efficient and sustainable nutrient use, and support the transition towards low-carbon and circular fertiliser production. The Action Plan is structured around three mutually reinforcing objectives: (i) improving the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the short term; (ii) enhancing the EU's open strategic autonomy and resilience by strengthening domestic production, diversifying sources of supply, promoting sustainable nutrient management, and accelerating decarbonisation; and (iii) increasing transparency and fostering dialogue throughout the fertiliser supply chain. These objectives are pursued through a combination of short-term measures designed to address immediate market disruptions arising from geopolitical developments, and longer-term measures aimed at facilitating the structural transformation of the European fertiliser value chain and nutrient management practices. To provide immediate relief, the Plan foresees financial assistance for the European farmers most affected by rising fertiliser costs through the mobilisation of EU budget resources and an increase in the agricultural reserve. In addition, the Commission intends to establish an EU Fertilisers Value Chain Partnership bringing together fertiliser producers, farmers, Member States, and other relevant stakeholders. The Partnership is expected to: (i) safeguard the availability and affordability of domestically produced fertilisers for EU farmers; (ii) improve market predictability for both producers and users; and (iii) support the decarbonisation of the EU fertiliser industry in a manner consistent with the Union's energy and climate objectives. The Commission also proposes a targeted package under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to enable Member States to maximise the use of support available under existing CAP Strategic Plans. Furthermore, Member States may utilise available funding instruments, including cohesion funds, to support sustainable biogas and biomethane production and to introduce targeted, temporary measures, such as price intervention mechanisms, income support schemes, and tax incentives for energy-intensive industries. Such measures are intended to mitigate economic pressures while maintaining incentives for energy efficiency and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. The Commission will continue to monitor developments in both European and global fertiliser markets and reserves the option of proposing additional trade-related measures where necessary. The longer-term component of the Action Plan adopts an integrated approach that seeks to reconcile security of supply, food security, strategic autonomy, industrial competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. In this context, the EU Fertilisers Value Chain Partnership is intended to promote investment in production capacity, address energy-related constraints, secure access to key feedstocks and raw materials, remove operational bottlenecks, and enhance the competitiveness of the European fertiliser sector. The Partnership will also engage with third countries to diversify sources of ammonia, urea, and other critical fertiliser products and inputs, in a manner consistent with the Union's trade policy objectives and sanctions framework, while preserving a resilient domestic production base. The Action Plan further supports the accelerated deployment of low-carbon, bio-based, and circular fertilisers. It includes measures to adapt calculation methodologies under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and provides for the temporary suspension of certain import tariffs on key inputs, including ammonia and urea. In addition, the Plan envisages a greater role for EU farmers in supporting domestic fertiliser production by supplying organic feedstocks for the manufacture of bio-based fertilisers. These measures are intended to reduce strategic dependencies and vulnerabilities, stimulate market demand, and improve the affordability, availability, and predictability of fertiliser supplies within the European Union.
2026-05-19