Azomureș cuts 95% workforce as prolonged shutdown deepens crisis

Romanian nitrogen fertilizer producer Azomureș is preparing to lay off approximately 95% of its workforce amid prolonged production shutdowns and unfavorable market conditions. More than 1,100 employees are expected to be affected, with only a small core team of around 50 to 60 workers remaining to maintain equipment at the site.

The facility, located in Târgu Mureș, was once a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural supply chain, meeting up to half of domestic demand for nitrogen fertilizers at its peak. However, operations have been largely suspended since 2021 due to soaring natural gas prices and the broader European energy crisis, which have eroded the plant’s economic viability.

The announcement comes amid growing concern in Romania over fertilizer security. On March 18, lawmakers in the Romanian Senate declared fertilizer production a strategic priority, reflecting mounting pressure to revive domestic output. Authorities and industry stakeholders are continuing efforts to salvage the plant, though the scale of the planned layoffs underscores the challenges facing energy-intensive fertilizer producers across Europe.