Planning agrichemical purchases for the coming season

PLANNING AGRICHEMICAL

PURCHASES FOR THE COMING SEASON

Words by Mark Ross : Agcarm chief executive

The supply of crop protection solutions for the 2021–22 season will be challenging. Manufacturers and suppliers are factoring in a lead time of more than six months to acquire agrichemicals. This advance planning is crucial to support the availability of the products in the face of shipping delays, congestion and ongoing disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The agrichemical industry encourages farmers and growers to prepare orders for the upcoming season in advance and talk to their merchant reps who can support them with their purchasing. Providing a good lead time is sensible as it allows suppliers to effectively manage the continuity of supply – as manufacturing companies now need double the lead time to get products into the country. To assist with supply, it is recommended that orders for agrichemicals and other inputs be placed three to six months ahead of when you would normally order them. Careful planning is recommended to avoid over-ordering and any storage issues or charges incurred as a result. Retailers are unlikely to get stock well in advance and are generally not able to hold stock for farmers and growers. In addition, sites can only hold limited volumes of certain agrichemicals, depending on their hazard classes. Growers can talk to their merchant rep who will have options available to solve any pest problems in case any preferred brand is temporarily in short supply. If this happens, it’s useful to discuss the substitute product’s fit with the crop programme to ensure a positive outcome. Reps have a broad knowledge of the suite of alternatives and can recommend products to tackle options for all pests and diseases. Growers should also ensure that the alternatives meet processor, exporter and importing country requirements.

Careful planning is recommended to avoid over-ordering and any storage issues or charges incurred as a result

Following these requirements will allow growers to manage pests and diseases for the 2021–22 season. It is uncertain when shipping delays and congestion at domestic and international ports will ease. However, you can rest assured that agrichemical manufacturers and suppliers will be working overtime to ensure that you can continue to grow high-quality, healthy and pest-free crops.