A week after Ravensdown cut prices for its mainstay products by 20%-30%, the second cut in eight weeks, archrival Ballance on Thursday moved its prices, and claimed to have the lowest prices on offer. Chief executive Larry Bilodeau said in a statement prices had been lowered by up to 31% and would help farmers boost autumn production.
Ballance was selling urea for $693 a tonne, $2 a tonne lower than Ravensdown; and DAP for $997 and superphosphate for $431 a tonne, both $2 a tonne higher than Ravensdown.
Ballance was honouring a $35 a tonne discount for phosphate fertiliser delivered before the end of February.
The competitive and lower pricing was great news for farmers, who last year saw prices for their most costly farm input reach record highs.
Mr Bilodeau said the lower pricing was timely.
"Farmers need to get fertiliser on soon to maximise their autumn production, so we have moved decisively to take pricing out of the equation," said Mr Bilodeau.
"Our latest prices are extremely competitive and we have made the move now to enable farmers to make the right agronomic decisions early."
The company has brought forward its March 1 price review.
