Rising global shortages of sulphur and sulphuric acid are creating fresh challenges for farmers, as the ongoing war in Eastern Europe continues to disrupt fertiliser production and global supply chains.

For growers already dealing with high nitrogen prices and volatile input costs, sulphur is becoming an increasingly important part of the nutrition programme. Without enough sulphur, crops cannot properly utilise nitrogen, meaning valuable fertiliser investment may not deliver its full yield or protein potential.

Traditionally, much of the world’s sulphur supply has come from oil and gas refining. But reduced industrial production, higher energy costs, and supply disruptions linked to the war have tightened availability of sulphuric acid and sulphur-based fertilisers worldwide.

As a result, many farmers are now looking at alternative sulphur sources that can work alongside nitrogen applications to keep crops performing efficiently.

One option gaining increasing attention is POLY4 — a natural multi-nutrient fertiliser that supplies sulphur together with potassium, magnesium, and calcium in a single product.

Combining POLY4 with nitrogen fertiliser can help improve nitrogen use efficiency by ensuring crops have the sulphur they need to fully convert nitrogen into growth, yield, and protein.

In practical terms, that means farmers may get more value from every kilogram of nitrogen applied.

This is especially important in cereals, oilseed rape, maize, and grassland systems, where sulphur deficiencies are becoming increasingly common. Cleaner air regulations over recent decades have dramatically reduced the amount of sulphur deposited naturally from the atmosphere, leaving many soils short of this essential nutrient.

Unlike manufactured sulphur products that depend heavily on sulphuric acid production, POLY4 is mined from natural polyhalite deposits, offering farmers a more reliable and long-term nutrient source at a time when global supply chains remain uncertain.

Its gradual nutrient release profile also means nutrients remain available throughout the growing season, helping reduce losses and support more consistent crop uptake.

With pressure growing to improve efficiency and reduce waste, balanced nitrogen and sulphur nutrition is becoming a key focus on farm. Many advisers now believe sulphur should no longer be viewed as a secondary nutrient, but as an essential partner to nitrogen.

As fertiliser markets continue to face geopolitical and economic pressures, integrating products like POLY4 into nitrogen programmes could help farmers protect crop performance, improve fertiliser efficiency, and build greater resilience into future nutrient strategies.

Talk to your local farm trader for latest price and availablity