Ravensdown has moved back into profit after posting a $5.4 million loss a year earlier, a turnaround that is now flowing through to shareholders in the form of a rebate. The result comes as farmers continue to face rising fertiliser costs on-farm, putting extra attention on the co-op’s performance and pricing environment.
The rebound was achieved during a period of turbulence in global fertiliser markets. Supply chains have been under pressure, with disruption linked to conflict involving the US and Iran affecting trade through a region that plays a major role in world fertiliser production.
Around one-fifth of global nitrogen fertiliser supply comes from the Gulf region, making any instability there especially important for prices and availability. When supply is constrained, costs can quickly lift for importers and, in turn, for farmers buying fertiliser domestically.
For Ravensdown, the return to profit suggests an improvement from the previous year despite those difficult international conditions. At the same time, the wider backdrop remains challenging, with global supply risks and elevated farm input costs continuing to shape the outlook for New Zealand’s fertiliser market.
