Grupa Azoty Resumes Fertilizer Sales After Crisis-Driven Order Suspension

The situation on the Polish fertilizer market changed dramatically after Grupa Azoty, the national chemical production leader, announced a return to accepting current orders for nitrogen fertilizers. The earlier decision to suspend sales met with an immediate reaction from the Ministry of Agriculture, which deemed such action a direct threat to the spring sowing campaign. The Minister of Agriculture intervened, pointing out that fertilizer costs currently constitute nearly half of agricultural production inputs, and a lack of access to key components could lead to a collapse in farm profitability. The company declared that sales would proceed under current market conditions, which still raises farmers' concerns about final product prices. At the same time, a breakthrough occurred in EU policy, where member states finally approved the 2040 climate target. It assumes a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels, which forms the foundation of the European decarbonization strategy. This decision was made despite strong protests from conservative circles, which warn of the gigantic costs of the transition for industry and agriculture. Additionally, in Poland on March 5, 2026, extraordinary medical privileges for most war refugees from Ukraine expired. Free treatment has been limited to persons unfit for work, minors, and seniors, aiming to tighten the NFZ system and encourage foreigners to take up legal employment. For years, Grupa Azoty has been facing challenges resulting from high natural gas prices, which are the basic raw material for ammonia production. Global fluctuations in the energy commodities market after 2022 forced European nitrogen plants to periodically suspend production lines.The narrative surrounding legal and economic changes is highly polarized. While the government emphasizes the necessity of protecting the state budget and implementing environmental goals, the opposition and industry organizations point to a lack of sufficient protective mechanisms. In agriculture, the phenomenon of a cost squeeze is progressing, where rising energy and fertilizer prices clash with uncertainty regarding EU trade agreements, including the controversial deal with Mercosur countries. The Ministry of Development announced the approval of a safeguard clause, which will allow for the suspension of tariff preferences in case of excessive import of agricultural goods, constituting an attempt to calm the mood in the Polish countryside. Structure of Agricultural Production Costs 2026: Fertilizers: 48, Fuel: 22, Plant protection products: 15, Other: 15 „Grupa Azoty wraca do przyjmowania bieżących zamówień na nawozy azotowe, ale na bieżących warunkach rynkowych.” (Grupa Azoty is returning to accepting current orders for nitrogen fertilizers, but under current market conditions.) — Adam Celejewski

Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizes the necessity of rigorous climate protection by 2040 and fair limitation of social privileges to activate refugees. Warns of the collapse of agriculture due to EU climate goals and criticizes the destabilization of the fertilizer market by the state-owned giant Azoty.