'Flood' of cheap Russian fertiliser risks Europe's food security
A flood of cheap Russian fertiliser threatens Europe's food security, driving local producers out of business. Dependence on Russian imports raises concerns about long-term food security and industry competitiveness.
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A flood of cheap Russian fertiliser is threatening Europe's food security, according to industry experts. The dependence on Russian fertiliser, produced using cheap natural gas, is driving European producers out of business. Despite a slowdown in Russian natural gas flow to the EU after the Ukraine invasion, Russia continues to export cheap nitrogen-based fertilisers to Europe, causing European producers to struggle to compete. The situation has raised concerns about the long-term food security of Europe, with warnings that Europe's production capacity could disappear if action is not taken. European farmers have benefited from the cheap fertiliser, but local producers are finding it hard to stay competitive. The European Union's heavy reliance on Russian fertiliser imports, particularly urea, poses a risk to food security and could lead to a crisis in the European fertiliser industry. The industry is facing challenges from rising gas and energy costs, prompting some companies to consider shifting production to countries with lower costs. Concerns have been raised about Europe's vulnerability to potential enemies if it becomes heavily reliant on imports for fertilisers.
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5 commentsIt's as if the pandemic and supply chain issues never happened. When I see things like this (i.e., an intentional disregard for common sense) I have to wonder if it's all just theatre.
In this case, aside from the dependency on an unfriendly adversary for growing food, the also the possibility - however small - that enemy bio-engineeers something, adds it to the fertilizer, and it either kills the crops or at least compromises their yield. Why would you risk your future in this way? Unless you didn't care? It can't be for lack of knowing.
If only people were smarter than they were angry.
Buy expensive American fertilizer. Made in Russia or China. /s
Just like with Gas.
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