Farmer's Weekly

High fertiliser prices behind food shortages

“Global fertiliser suppliers have made incredibly high profits in 2022/23 on the back of price spikes attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war. The profits of the world's top nine producers trebled in 2022 from two years previously.

The margins and impacts have been even greater on fertiliser supplies to African farmers. Moreover, the super-high profit margins are being sustained in 2023 in many African countries even while international prices have come down. The harvest season has recently come to an end in most countries in Southern Africa, with farmer margins and production being squeezed by high input costs.

The wide gaps

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly2 min read
Mondi Zimele Develops Farmers
Overcoming the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’s negative effects on food security, the Mondi Zimele programme has developed 122 emerging farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. This includes 17 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) comprising 11 co-operative
Farmer's Weekly2 min read
Large Herd Conference
26 to 28 May, Sun International Board Walk Hotel, Gqeberha The Large Herd Conference takes a holistic approach to dairy farming, concentrating on issues peculiar to the large herds operator. Topics such as systems management, strategies for change, s
Farmer's Weekly3 min read
Some Surprises In The Latest Crop Estimates
Despite the prevailing dry and hot conditions, production of most summer grains in South Africa was revised upwards from the previous estimate, as indicated by the Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) third production forecast for summer crops. Although

Related