Russian farmers nearly 80% self-sufficient in mineral fertilizer needs

Russian agriculture has secured nearly 80% of its annual mineral fertilizer needs, reports the Ministry of Agriculture. Since the start of the year, the agro-industrial complex has purchased 4.24 million tons of mineral fertilizers, calculated as 100% nutrient content, including accumulated resources. This purchase meets the sector’s total estimated need of 5.45 million tons for the year.

The Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers (RAFP) has observed the highest demand growth in NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizers. Deliveries to the agricultural sector increased by 10% from January to July 2024 compared to the same period last year, now constituting nearly a quarter of all mineral fertilizer shipments to the sector. The association also noted a 7% increase in the procurement of liquid mineral fertilizers.

Andrey Guryev, President of the RAFP, commented on the positive trends, attributing them to timely fertilizer application, which has helped mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions like unusual frosts and heatwaves across several regions. “We are entering critical weeks traditionally determining the next year’s harvest. We expect the trend of proactive purchases to continue, allowing fertilizer manufacturers to plan flexible delivery schedules domestically, and transporters to coordinate these deliveries throughout the year,” said Guryev.

Guryev expressed gratitude towards the Russian government, relevant ministries, and the Russian Railways for prioritizing fieldwork and fertilizer transportation, ensuring steady supply rhythms across regions. He also hopes this prioritization will continue to benefit the industry moving forward.

Furthermore, according to Rosstat, Russia’s mineral fertilizer industry increased its production for the agricultural sector by 14.2%, reaching 14.1 million tons in the first half of 2024.