Feeding the fuel crop: Fertilisers are powering more than just food

Despite European fuel policy now limiting their use, around half of biofuels consumed in the EU and UK still rely on food crops. Each year, around 10 Mt of vegetable oils, primarily rapeseed oil, are used for biodiesel and HVO, alongside roughly 14 Mt of grains like wheat and corn and 3 Mt of sugar crops for ethanol production according to Cerulogy.

Such crops require chemical inputs, particularly fertilisers, to sustain high yields. Maximising productivity and maintaining crop resilience depend on a careful balance of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P₂O₅) and potash (K₂O), the key nutrients underpinning modern agricultural production.

Combining crop-specific nutrient data from the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) with European biofuel feedstock use, we estimate that biofuels currently consume approximately 0.8 million tonnes of nitrogen, 0.2 Mt of phosphate, and 0.2 Mt of potash. This represents roughly 8% of EU and UK total fertiliser nutrients used toward fuel production rather than food.

However, European import reliance for nitrogen fertilisers stands at 30%, while for potash and phosphatic fertilisers import reliance surges to 40% and 70% respectively. To reduce its dirty fertiliser dependency, the EU launched its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), on January 1, 2026, encouraging cleaner production. While nitrogen fertiliser imports dropped by 80% in January 2026 as markets adjusted to these new standards, this transition was immediately complicated by the sudden Middle East crisis.

This timing has left farmers facing record-high prices, especially for nitrogen-based inputs, with urea prices 55% higher compared to the beginning of the year. To mitigate these risks, the new EU Fertiliser Action Plan is now more critical than ever to reinforce domestic supply and bolster circular alternatives for food production while preventing biofuel mandates from further straining the bloc's nutrient security.

Addressing the immediate pressures on the farming sector requires a balanced mix of short- and long-term measures. Crucially, short-term responses should not compromise the long-term sustainability. Within these immediate measures, emphasis must be placed on environmentally friendly practices that reduce overall fertiliser reliance and that generate positive impacts also in the long run.

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