The EU says Africa should stop buying Russian fertilizers, but the country can produce them on its own.
In an attempt to encourage African countries to stop buying Russian fertilizers, the European Union has drawn up a work plan that would help build its own fertilizer factories.
The draft, dated June 15 and prepared by aides to European Council President Charles Michel, was due to be presented at a summit of EU leaders last week, but the EU Commission then “opposed the text, warning that supporting fertilizer production in developing countries was incompatible with theirs.” green initiatives.
According to Reuters, the original text of the draft conclusions of the June 23-24 summit, the EU executive commission is urged to develop a plan “to support the development of fertilizer production capacity and alternatives in developing countries.”
The Commission, however, urged governments to change the text to only promote alternatives to fertilizers – or more efficient use of fertilizers, as their own production would be “inconsistent with EU energy and environmental policies.”
Higher fertilizer prices are putting pressure on food prices around the world as farmers cut back on nutrients for their crops, resulting in lower yields.
“Food prices will skyrocket because farmers will have to make a profit, and what will happen to consumers?” said Uche Anyanwu, an agricultural expert at the University of Nigeria.
According to the UN, Russia ranks first in the world in the export of nitrogen fertilizers and second in the export of phosphate and potash fertilizers. Its ally Belarus, also struggling with Western sanctions, is another major fertilizer producer.
Many developing countries, including Mongolia, Honduras, Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Mexico and Guatemala, depend on Russia for at least a fifth of their imports.
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