UK suspends 6% tariff on UAN fertilizer, boosting U.S. exporters

The United Kingdom has suspended its 6% import tariff on urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), a move expected to save U.S. fertilizer exporters millions of dollars annually and support further shipments to the British market. The tariff suspension took effect Aug. 5 and will remain in place through Dec. 31, 2028, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The U.S. is the dominant supplier of UAN to the UK.

The measure also closes a competitive gap that emerged after the European Union suspended tariffs on UAN and other nitrogen fertilizers earlier this year. Britain imports about 60% of its fertilizer ingredients and primarily operates as a finisher and blender of fertilizer products for its agricultural sector. Although the country does not receive significant fertilizer volumes directly through the Strait of Hormuz, wider disruption to international markets has pushed prices for ammonium nitrate, urea and other fertilizer inputs up by 20% to 50% since April, according to the USDA report. UK agricultural input costs rose 7.6% this spring.

About 80% of UK arable farmers had locked in fertilizer purchases in late 2025, cushioning them from the initial price increase, but continued high input costs could further pressure farm margins after three consecutive years of depressed incomes. The UK government is also considering suspending tariffs on additional fertilizer inputs as part of its broader effort to reduce food-production costs. The next window for companies to request voluntary tariff suspensions is expected to open this fall.

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service; UK Government