The sharp increase in U.S. nitrogen exports to address Europe's fertilizer shortage could have a big impact on American farmers and end up creating a shortage at home, experts are warning.
As a result of these tight fertilizer supplies, crop nutrient prices have climbed so much around the world that the United Nations has warned there could be a "Future crisis" of availability.
Some companies in Europe have already closed fertilizer plants as a result of the high prices.
The surge in exports doesn't seem to be affecting supply so far, with the American nitrogen fertilizer supply reportedly at its second-highest level in the last decade in June.
Figures for July and August aren't yet available, but with the U.S. historically being a small exporter, it is reasonable to expect American farmers to struggle to obtain fertilizer should the trend continue.
Nelson, who grows soybeans and corn, said: "I might as well do it because is only going to go higher. If you start skimping on fertilizer you just end up hurting yourself in the end." France, Norway, Lithuania and Belgium are the countries that have noted the biggest year-over-year rises in American fertilizer purchases, but it's not just Europe that is increasing its buying; Chile, Brazil and Morocco have also notched up some big increases.
Li Qingyan of the China Institute of International Studies explained: "All countries in South Asia are developing countries. Agriculture is a major driver in their economies and fertilizers have been a necessity to guarantee crop yields. Without fertilizers, they can hardly feed themselves." The number of people who are affected by hunger around the world hit 828 million last year, a rise of 150 million from the beginning of the pandemic.
https://www.naturalnews.com/2022-10-29-rising-nitrogen-exports-europe-affect-fertilizer-supply.html
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