Farmers across the Borders, southern Scotland, and northern England will soon benefit from an enhanced fertiliser supply chain due to a significant new infrastructure investment from the Port of Tyne and Origin Fertilisers.

The joint £7.5m project at the Port of Tyne includes a new blending plant and a dedicated 6,000m² fertiliser warehouse, enabling Origin to produce and store over 100,000t of fertiliser.

This development will provide farmers and growers in the region with improved access to essential crop nutrition during the crucial spring period.

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Orgin nutrition agronomist Julia AndrewsOrigin nutrition agronomist Julia Andrews

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This investment highlights Origin’s strategy to enhance fertiliser availability and supply across the region, further underscoring the company’s commitment to improving local fertiliser distribution. Origin’s managing director, Michael Pater, emphasised that the investment is a significant advancement for the area.

“Our new facility is located port-side and gives direct access to deep sea vessels, which will be a major improvement to the region in accessing raw materials from further afield, providing a wider range of product sourcing and competitive pricing.

“This investment will continue to improve and benefit Origin Fertilisers’ ability to provide prescription nutrition to farmers across southern Scotland and the North East.

“Providing farmers and growers with access to locally produced, prescription fertiliser helps them meet the challenges of sustainable farming by using the right fertiliser, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place.”

The new facility will complement Origin’s existing sites in Silloth, Immingham, Ayr, and Montrose, supporting fertiliser supply to the Borders, southern Scotland, and northern England

The project is in its final phase, installing a state-of-the-art fertiliser blending plant.

This will enable the addition of a full range of secondary and micro-nutrients, as well as fertiliser additives, to match specific crop and animal requirements on an individual farm and field basis.

The site is scheduled for completion in early October.

Victoria Beattie, Port of Tyne’s head of estates, added: “This significant investment not only enhances the agricultural supply chain for farmers and growers in our region and beyond, but also brings economic and environmental benefits.

“Approximately 15 new jobs will be created, as well as the position of the site set to reduce road miles of around 5,000 lorry loads of fertiliser. This partnership aligns with our commitment to positively impact the local economy, and we look forward to Origin’s new site being fully operational.”

The new site at Port of Tyne has capacity to produce and store more than 100,000 tonnes of fertiliserThe new site at Port of Tyne has capacity to produce and store more than 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser

Origin has already strengthened its team across the region, providing farmers with on-hand support to maximise the benefits of the new facility. Joining Northumberland-based nutrition agronomist Abby Kellett, Origin has added two new staff members: Hester Hardy, covering Yorkshire and the north of England, and Julia Andrews, covering the Borders and Scotland.

Julia explained the site’s future value: “Reducing emissions and improving efficiency when applying crop nutrition will be key to meeting requirements of Preparing for Sustainable Farming. Along with Origin’s other three Scottish sites, the Port of Tyne blender will play a key part in helping farmers match fertiliser to soil and crop requirements, reducing potential environmental losses.”

Mr Pater concluded: “We are confident that the Port of Tyne facility and purpose-built store, along with our nutrition agronomy team providing farmers in the local area with the latest nutritional advice, will be a huge benefit for farmers and growers across the North East and Scotland.”