Farmers and growers across southern Scotland and northern England now have closer access to fertiliser with the official opening of Origin Soil Nutrition’s new facility at the Port of Tyne.

The £7.5m port-side facility, a joint venture between Origin Soil Nutrition and the Port of Tyne, will allow deep-sea vessels to supply raw materials from international sources to a strategic location on the east coast. With 300 vessels entering UK ports annually, this facility is a significant boon for the agricultural sector.

The new facility features a modern blending plant and a purpose-built 6,000m² fertiliser warehouse, capable of producing more than 100,000 tonnes of product annually. Origin will be able to offer over 18,000 different blends using a combination of 14 essential nutrients.

The new Origin Soil Nutrition facility at the Port of Tyne has officially openedThe new Origin Soil Nutrition facility at the Port of Tyne has officially opened Designed to boost regional investment and create 15 new jobs, the facility will also contribute to sustainability. By reducing road mileage and cutting emissions from fertiliser transport, it is expected to eliminate 5,000 lorry loads annually, helping farmers meet Scope 3 emissions reduction targets.

Michael Pater, managing director at Origin Soil Nutrition, says the new facility marks the start of a positive partnership with the Port of Tyne and will offer several benefits to the local farming community.

“This investment allows us to provide more farmers with the right crop nutrition across this key region. The Port of Tyne is ideally located to serve customers in northern England while supporting our operations in southern Scotland.”

The fertiliser market has seen significant changes in the past two years, but Mr Pater believes the new facility is set up to adapt to evolving crop nutrition requirements and provide farmers with a wider range of products at competitive prices.

Farmers are increasingly recognising the value of prescription-based crop nutrition, which Mr Pater explains: “As suppliers to the agricultural industry, we aim to help farmers apply the right fertiliser for their soil. The most expensive fertiliser is often the wrong one, and our strategic location gives farmers improved access to the right crop nutrition for their needs.”

As part of a wider shift, Origin Soil Nutrition has rebranded from Origin Fertilisers to reflect its broader focus beyond traditional fertiliser products, with an emphasis on comprehensive soil nutrition.

This move aligns with their goal of offering tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of individual fields, a service that can now be supported by compulsory soil testing, a key-part of the whole farm plan, says Mandy McAuley, head of marketing and product sustainability.

“We want to dispel the myth that tailored nutrition plans incur additional costs,” she adds. “In fact, they can save farmers money by applying only the nutrients that are needed.”

The Port of Tyne facility increases Origin’s nationwide presence, bringing the total number of port-side locations to 11, complementing the existing facilities in Montrose and Ayr on Scotland’s coastline.

Mr Pater concludes: “By reducing the distance between our facilities, we are offering essential crop nutrition products to more farmers, closer to home. This combined investment secures a reliable fertiliser supply for farmers and growers across the region and reinforces Origin’s leadership in crop nutrition.”