A temporary shutdown may be on the cards for fertiliser manufacturer Ballance as it struggles to secure affordable gas.

The farmer and grower co-op says it may close its Kapuni plant for up to four months as a contingency.

The company manufactures about a third of New Zealand’s urea fertiliser each year.

Chief executive Kelvin Wickham says they aren't able to secure gas on a long-term basis. 

"We are hunting for short-term gas - and if we can find some short-term gas, we'll use that. But if we can't, then we'll be forced into a short-term shutdown."

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