France's Agriculture Minister Urges Fertilizer Industry to Keep Prices Low for 2026 Aid

On 28 July, French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard met representatives of the fertilizer sector and called for a collective responsibility on pricing. The ministry stressed that the state‑funded purchase aid for 2026, which offers €50‑70 per tonne, must benefit farmers directly and not be eroded by price increases.

Genevard noted early reports of possible price tensions after the 9 July announcement of the aid. The ministry will monitor nitrogen fertilizer prices closely and will review the situation on 1 October, ready to adjust the aid mechanism if excess costs are observed. The help follows a sharp rise in fertilizer prices linked to Middle‑East tensions and high European gas costs. The European Commission allocated €107 million to France, later increased to €145 million, to support the most affected growers.

The government aims to ensure that the public support reaches agricultural producers without generating additional margins for intermediaries.