After a slight stabilization in the spring of 2021, the growth in prices in the fertilizer market continued with the same strength. Experts predict that the cost of fertilizers for autumn field work could rise by up to 40%. This was stated by the People's Deputy of Ukraine Vadim Ivchenko.

He noted that ammonium nitrate has already risen in price from UAH 10-11 thousand / ton to UAH 15-16 thousand / ton, so farmers will reduce the use of fertilizers, since the additional effect from their use does not compensate for the costs of their purchase.

“Today Ukraine is critically not provided with fertilizers of its own production. Let me remind you that the Odessa Port Plant (OPZ), which produced urea, is suspending its work due to the situation in the global and national natural gas markets. Also, since October, some Ukrainian fertilizer-producing plants will either significantly reduce production to a minimum, or will completely stop production because gas accounts for more than 50% of the cost of fertilizers. That is, in the near future it is unrealistic to find an alternative - some national governments are afraid of shortages of fertilizers, which is why they announced measures to restrict their exports,” Ivchenko said.

He added that the agrarian committee had already reacted to the situation by deciding to appeal to the government with a request to take control over the import of imported fertilizers into Ukraine.

“It would also be advisable to support our agricultural producers through forward programs for the purchase of fertilizers by various financial institutions (Agrarian Fund, DPKZU, etc.). I believe that it is also important to envisage, possibly in budgetary support, the reimbursement of the difference between fertilizer prices this year and next. This will significantly reduce the cost of the harvest and facilitate the sowing campaign for farmers,” Ivchenko said.

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Agropolit