Fertiliser prices skyrocket

Prices of fertiliser have skyrocketed fuelled by
supply shortages triggered by the ongoin g RussiaUkraine war, threatening
the 2022/23 cropping season, a World Food Programme (WFP)
report shows.

Russia and Ukraine are among the biggest producers of fertiliser in the
world. But, trade between the two European countries and the rest of
the world has been severely disrupted largely due to the war.
The price of compound D has risen 46% to ZWL$46 082 per a 50kg bag from ZWL$31 500/ 50kg
two three months ago while AN fertiliser also surged by 25% to ZWL$56 688/50kg from ZWL$45
500/ 50kg in November last year.“…..The price of Compound
D (fertiliser) increased by 46% to ZWL$46,082/50kg in December
from ZWL$31,500/50kg in November 2022, while the price of AN fertilizer increased by 25%
to ZWL$56,688/50Kgs from ZWL$45,500/50Kg. “When compared to the same
time (in 2022) , the prices of the two commodities increased by 821% and
530% respectively,” reads part of the report.

The Zimbabwe National Farmers Union chairman Stewart Mubonderi
told Business Times that farmers could suffer a huge setback due to
exorbitant prices of fertiliser, calling for the government to intervene and
rescue farmers.

 “The crops across the country is excellent and we are heading towards
a bumper harvest but we might suffer a huge setback if fertiliser
prices remain this high.“The government should intervene
and rein in profiteering shops who continue with a wanton increase of
prices at the expense of farmers,” Mubonderi said. The Tobacco Farmers Union vice
president Edward Dune weighed in saying: “Government should
come up with several policies that encourage farmers to continue
producing as current policies discourage production. We have a
larger hectarage with self-financing farmers and with that in mind, fertiliser costs should be reasonable
to assist farmers.” Crop condition in the northern parts of the country was mainly
average and mediocre in the southern parts.

The government distributed approximately 66% of maize seed
and 88% of basal fertiliser targeted under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa
programme which targets mainly rural communal farmers.
The government estimates a 63% increase in the area planted under
maize and is targeting a production
of 3m tonnes of maize.