PhosAgro will double the supply of fertilizers to Africa by 2026
PhosAgro Group, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphorus-containing fertilizers, plans to double the supply of fertilizers to African countries over the next 3 years. This was announced by PhosAgro CEO Mikhail Rybnikov at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
As Mikhail Rybnikov emphasized, the company supplies eco-efficient products that do not contain concentrations of cadmium and other toxic substances hazardous to human health and soils to about 100 countries around the world. At the same time, Africa is one of PhosAgro’s priority areas for international development.
PhosAgro is the largest Russian supplier of fertilizers to African countries with a share of 33%. The geography of exports of PhosAgro products to the African continent covers 21 countries. The leaders in imports are South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Tanzania.
The company increased deliveries to Africa by 4.5 times over the past 5 years alone – from 117.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 540 thousand tons in 2022. Over the past year, PhosAgro’s exports to African countries have grown by a quarter. Over the next 3 years, the company expects to double supplies. A factor in expanding the export potential to Africa will be the launch of a new million-plus plant in Volkhov, located next to the Baltic ports, focused on exporting products to friendly countries. PhosAgro’s portfolio includes 57 brands of fertilizers, including 16 brands with trace elements. PhosAgro’s extensive product line makes it possible to take into account the specifics of African regions and offer customers the best solutions.
Until the end of 2023, together with Innopraktika, at least 6 innovative products will be developed as part of the Innagro project. Biologicals and safe plant protection products are innovative products that can help African countries take a major leap forward in tackling food security. To ensure the introduction of innovations in Africa, PhosAgro promotes the training of local farmers. As part of the Russia-Africa Forum, PhosAgro is launching the Pro Agro Lectorium lecture platform. This is a convenient online service with educational lectures designed specifically for African farmers on sustainable agriculture, the basics of plant mineral nutrition, and the correct use of mineral fertilizers.
Besides, PhosAgro, together with UNESCO, annually awards grants for research in the field of environmental protection under the Green Chemistry for Life program. Over 6 rounds of the program, an international jury reviewed more than 800 applications and selected more than 40 young researchers as grant recipients, 12 of which are talented African scientists. More than 100 young researchers from Africa have received financial scholarships as part of the Green Chemistry Summer Schools organized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and PhosAgro.
The company also makes active efforts to protect local soil resources. In 2019, PhosAgro acted as an official partner in the launch of the African Soil Laboratory Network, a regional soil laboratory network in Africa, as part of a global soil protection initiative, a joint project between PhosAgro and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Currently, the African network has 143 laboratories from 48 countries that evaluate the quality and safety of fertilizers and monitor the condition of soils.
In October 2020, together with FAO, PhosAgro launched the global Soil Doctors program, which includes the production of agricultural tool kits – soil first aid kits. They allow farmers in developing countries, especially in Africa, to independently assess the condition of their fields and determine the nutrients that need to be applied to maximize yields. Growing organic products and, as a result, making an important contribution to the fight against hunger.
