CBAM enforcement sparks 80% drop in fertiliser imports

February 20, 2026 February 27, 2026

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The European Farmers and Agri Cooperatives organisation, COPA-COGECA have made the following announcement:

The latest figures from the European Commission confirm a dramatic and unprecedented collapse in EU nitrogen fertiliser imports following the entry into force of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In January 2026, the EU imported only 179,877 tonnes of nitrogen fertilisers, compared with 1,183,728 tonnes in January 20251. Imports have therefore fallen to less than 16% of their usual level, a harsh reality that is now knocking at the EU’sdoor.

These figures validate the repeated warnings from Copa and Cogeca over recent years. Farmers and agri-cooperatives organisations have consistently cautioned EU institutions that, without the necessary technical safeguards and market preparedness, the implementation of CBAM on fertilisers would disrupt supply flows and increase costs for European farmers.

Nitrogen fertilisers, which are directly affected by CBAM, account for approximately 46% of total EU fertiliser consumption, with more than 30% of this volume traditionally imported.

A reduction of this magnitude cannot be absorbed without consequences. It poses a direct threat to the stability of agricultural production across the EU, destabilising markets by triggering anticipatory behaviours, as seen in December 2025 just prior to the mechanism’s implementation.

Meanwhile, domestic fertiliser prices continue to rise. In January 2026, they were 25% higher than the 2024 average3. Considering that fertilisers account for 15% to 30% of farmers’ input costs in average, and that the arable crops sector is already under severe pressure, with negative margins recorded for the third consecutive year, this situation could quickly become the tipping point in many Member States.

EurAgEng Secretary General Andy Newbold commented that 'this is an example of a real world challenge which Agricultural Engineers can contribute towards."

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