Yara International plans to expand Pocklington business

Norwegian company Yara International says the global manufacturing facility will enable Yara to increase its market share in the plant nutrition and biostimulants business, one of the fastest growing markets in agriculture.

The new facility, to be built near the company’s existing Manor Place location on the Pocklington Industrial Estate, will also allow the company, founded in 1905 as Norsk Hydro, to double its capacity when the facility opens by the end of 2025 and beyond the production capacity if required.

Almost all of the factory’s production is exported to markets around the world.

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Sales of YaraVita’s specialty plant nutrition products and biostimulants have increased fivefold over the past 20 years. These products are formulated to meet the specific needs of plants throughout the growing season and help them increase their resilience to climate change.

Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Executive Vice President for Europe at Yara International, said: “Our specialty plant nutrition products help farmers increase yields and quality without increasing land use.” This not only benefits farmers, it’s also good for the planet .”

“It’s no wonder this market is growing exponentially. With today’s challenges of food security and climate change, it is more important than ever to provide the world with nutritious food while protecting the planet,” she added.

Rejane Souza, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation at Yara International, said: “When a nutrient is lacking or under stress, plant growth, yield and quality can be impacted. Special plant nutrition products supplement conventional mineral fertilizers and are crucial for balanced plant nutrition.

“Although only needed in small amounts, they can make a big difference for farmers and are crucial to ensure a lower carbon footprint for food production by increasing yield per unit of land.”

According to Yara, around 3,000 tests have been conducted to test the quality of its products. Trials have resulted in higher yields, typically by 3-8% and even 30%.”

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The Yara Pocklington site is not only the headquarters of the UK division, but also the global center for the development and production of the YaraVita range of foliar and micronutrient fertilizers.

The company was founded in Pocklington in 1967 and today sells YaraVita products through local Yara offices or stockists in over 60 countries.

Activities at the site include production, global product management, product development, agronomic consultancy and soil/crop analysis.

Yara has been active in the UK since 1843 through its acquisition by Norsk Hydro in 1982 to the present day, with various company names and acquisitions, from Fisons to Norsk Hydro and Hydro Agri to Yara UK Limited.

Yara International, headquartered in Oslo, employs 17,500 people in 60 countries and generates global sales of US$24.1 billion.