Rising fertilizer prices are forcing some farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan to rethink planting for the next cropping season, as supply tightens and costs continue to climb.

At a local store, only a few sacks of fertilizer remain. The owner said these will no longer be sold and will instead be used for their own farm, reflecting growing concerns over supply and cost.

Some fertilizer traders have also stopped buying new stocks due to high prices and market uncertainty.

“Mahirap makipagsapalaran kasi sobrang taas ngayon. Kung kukuha kami tapos biglang bumaba ang presyo, talo kami,” Rommel Batrina, a retailer, said.

Data from the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura showed that fertilizer prices have increased by about P500 to P700 per sack, partly due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

This adds to the burden of farmers, who are already dealing with rising fuel costs.

“Baka hindi na kami magtanim kasi malulugi na rin talaga,” Cris Patague, a farmer, said.

The Municipal Agriculture Office said it is monitoring fertilizer supplies in the area closely. It assured farmers that subsidy programs are in place.

“Base naman sa planning ng Department of Agriculture kasama ang ating mga LGUs gaya dito sa Mangaldan, may naka-program na fertilizer na ibibigay sa mga magsasaka para sa mga magtatanim ng palay,” Manuel Aquino, rice coordinator of the Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office, said.

As of April 9, fertilizer prices range from P2,000 to P2,400 per sack in the town.