Farmers who haven’t yet done so are being urged to secure their fertiliser supplies sooner rather than later.
Fertiliser manufacturer Yara says it is working hard during the winter months to ensure next spring’s deliveries reach farms on time – from planning vehicle fleets to managing driver rosters.
This includes solid and liquid fertiliser, environmental solution liquids, feed and technical grade urea, animal nutrition products and nitrates, says Helen Manship, Yara’s UK sourcing and transportation manager.
“We transport everything from bulk loose solid product and bulk liquid to palletised goods, IBCs and big bags,” she explains. “It’s an all-year-round operation.” But spring is when things really hot up.
While Yara works with approximately 100 hauliers across its operations, the spring season presents unique challenges – and preparation is key because no two seasons are the same.
“We’re weather dependent. And in the UK, spring can kick off early, like it did in 2025. Then we can have 40,000 tonnes of orders on the book, all required at exactly the same time rather than spread over a month or two.” This unpredictability, with a sudden rush on demand, creates significant pressure points. During peak spring season, Helen may need to request 60 to 75 vehicles per day from hauliers.
However, when the season ends, that volume disappears. For hauliers, obtaining new drivers with the correct qualifications for just a few months each year presents a problem in itself.
Driver shortages
The entire haulage sector has a shortage of drivers. While salaries for driver roles have increased by 4% in over the past year, vacancies have risen by 33%. At the same time, there has been a 20% drop in the number of HGV tests taken.
There’s another looming problem too. “Currently, about 55% of HGV drivers are aged between 50 and 65 years old,” says Helen. “Over the next decade, we’ll lose just over half the workforce currently doing this job.”
The situation affects not only Yara’s regular drivers but potential subcontractors too. Moreover, every haulier operating on UK roads must be FIAS certified and regulated by the Agriculture Industries Confederation – adding complexity to fleet management.
Rising costs
Operational costs for hauliers – excluding fuel – increased by 5.95% last year, according to the Road Haulage Association. And with average profit margins of around 1.6% to 2%, this doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre.
“A vehicle standing for one week has high cost implications,” says Helen. “You’ve got the driver’s wage and the vehicle itself – you’re still paying for it even if it’s not on the road earning money.”
The impact shows in the statistics: over 450 haulage businesses closed over the past 12 months, on top of the 500 closures the previous year. This makes close communication with hauliers throughout the year essential.
Yara works with commercial teams and global planning to forecast volumes ahead of the season, then provides regular updates during spring to help hauliers allocate drivers and vehicles efficiently.
Sustainability
The push towards sustainability adds another dimension to logistics. The government has promised that 100% of new HGVs entering the market to be zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
But alternative fuel sources – and electric vehicles – initially cost more, pushing up delivery rates and operational costs, making transport more expensive and less competitive in the short term.
“The infrastructure for supporting these alternative sources simply isn’t quite there yet,” Helen noted. “Efficient planning and backloading become essential to optimising vehicles to their complete capacity.”
Understanding the impact of empty running on hauliers, Yara prioritises loading at the closest site to where hauliers completed their last drop-off. If there is no backload, hauliers source different products to move – whether bricks, paper or other goods.
Weather woes
Winter weather can cause additional complications – and a domino effect on everyone, including farmers. With customers waiting, commercial teams stressed and lost earnings for hauliers who depend on completing two to three loads per day.
“The dream for hauliers is to collect, drop at a farm, return to site, reload and head out again,” says Helen. Of course, that’s not always possible.
Behind every Yara fertiliser delivery lies extensive coordination between terminals, customer service, transport coordinators, commercial teams, agents, merchants and hauliers. They all share one main goal: getting the product to the customer.
“By the busy periods, it feels like I’m on a treadmill that someone keeps speeding up,” says Helen. “But collaboration and communication are key to keeping the wheels turning for agriculture.”