The skyrocketing cost of fertiliser has been described as a "kick in the guts" for struggling farmers.
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In the past 12 months the price of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) have increased by as much as 170 per cent due to surging energy costs and export restrictions.
The sudden increase has farmers being asked to pay as much as $1475 for a tonne of the vital product.
"It's a hideous rise and I've heard of people buying MAP for double what it was last year," NSW Farmers Wagga chairman Alan Brown said.
Fertiliser is crucial to the growth of crops in regions across Ausrtralia, including the Riverina, and without a regular supply many farmers will be unable to grow their usual crops.
"You can't operate without fertiliser here," Mr Brown said.
"All of our soils are deficient in phosphorous so we need that fertiliser. You just cannot grow a crop without it."
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The branch president said the costs have been worsened by a "toilet paper effect", with many farmers rushing the market to ensure they secure fertiliser in time for sowing early next year.
"In the short-term everybody needs to calm down and let's hope there is enough supply around," Mr Brown said.
The recent heavy rain which fell across the region has damaged millions of dollars worth of Riverina crops right before harvest and Downside dryland farmer David Meiklejohn said the fertiliser price rise is even more bad news.
"Before the weather damage a lot of farmers were looking at getting about $300 for a tonne of their wheat but now it's looking like it will be less than $200," the farmer said.
"So when you're getting half the usual price for your wheat it's a real kick in the guts when you've then got to pay nearly double for your main inputs [fertiliser]."
Mr Meiklejohn usually uses November and December to call suppliers and secure his next shipment of fertiliser but this year he has been told none is available.
He is hopeful the price will return to normal over the next few months but if not he will have cop the exorbitant costs and look at reducing his usage of the fertilisers over the next year.