Ballance Agri-Nutrients announced plans to suspend manufacturing at Mount Maunganui site

Ballance Agri-Nutrients will cease manufacturing single superphosphate (SSP) at its Mount Maunganui facility, concluding nearly 70 years of production at the site. The New Zealand farmer and grower-owned co-operative confirmed it will transition the location into a logistics and administrative hub, maintaining nutrient storage and distribution operations near the Port of Tauranga and continuing to house its national support office there.

The decision follows a six-week staff consultation period, resulting in a net loss of 60 jobs—66 roles are being disestablished, while six new positions will be created. The company plans to end production later this year, with an extended timeline providing an additional three months for the transition.

Ballance CEO Kelvin Wickham said the move reflects both operational and market realities. “Our manufacturing facilities at the Mount require substantial investment to operate reliably under growing regulatory constraints,” Wickham stated. “With domestic overcapacity and limited projected demand for SSP, it is the right time for the co-operative to end production at this site.”

The company said feedback from affected employees prompted adjustments to the original proposal, including the creation of two additional roles and an extended wind-down period. Ballance is offering redeployment options within the organisation and career transition assistance for impacted staff.

The co-operative intends to enhance sourcing flexibility and explore alternative fertiliser products, including more blendable formulations such as triple superphosphate (TSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP). Wickham noted that increasing efficiency in nutrient use is helping lift agricultural productivity with a reduced environmental footprint.

Ballance will continue producing phosphate and urea at its other sites in Invercargill and Taranaki and will rely on both local and imported supplies to meet demand. Nutrients, the company said, remain central to New Zealand’s food and fibre export economy, with fertiliser supporting approximately 41% of agricultural exports.

“Our focus now is supporting our people and managing the responsible decommissioning of the Mount Maunganui facilities,” Wickham said. “We remain committed to this site as a key strategic asset for nutrient logistics.”