Algifol distributor MJP Supplies is anticipating a tidal wave of interest in its seaweed-based biostimulant after seeing sales increase 33 per cent since Autumn 2022.
Rising fertiliser prices, challenging weather conditions and increasing desire to use natural products have seen sales of Algifol surpass 6,000 litres per year. Derived from brown algae that’s dried and refined, the result is an entirely natural liquid boasting a wealth of trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, polyuronides and growth-regulating plant hormones.
“For farmers, the past 12 months have been some of the most challenging ones ever,” the owner of MJP Supplies, Marcus Palmer, said. “The pandemic, followed by the invasion of Ukraine, have caused fertiliser prices to skyrocket. Then we have the drought conditions during the summer.
“I think all of these things have resulted in considerable interest in sustainable farming and driven people to seek out biostimulants such as Algifol. It’s not only new customers behind the surge in sales. We’ve also benefited from lots of repeat orders from growers who’ve seen the benefits of using Algifol first hand.
“Customers have reported increased yield and improved resistance to heat stress in their crops.”
As well as an increasing number of farmers, there’s growing appreciation of biostimulants among agronomists, such as John Carney of Carney Agricultural Services, who’s recommended Algifol to his clients since 2018.
“We’ve sold seaweed products to farmers and growers for more than 40 years and have always kept to products that are sourced solely from the correct plants and extracted without losing natural ingredients,” he said. “We supply Algifol to our customers as a nutrient enhancer to the minerals already available to the plant.
“Biostimulants are best used before fire-fighting remedies are needed and are applied regularly during the growing season. Algifol is proven to be very safe when added to other pesticide products.
“Over the years, we’ve noted that any stresses that plants are put under are greatly alleviated where Algifol has been applied. The green canopy GAI is very apparent. It enhances what’s already there in the plant. This is particularly so with fruit growing, where the evidence of quality is easily visible.
“Where any quality measurements such as tuber size, sugar content or grain specific gravity are made, Algifol has always been shown to be an essential ingredient.”
