The sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have resulted in 260 000 metric tons of Russian fertiliser bound for Africa being held up at ports.
As a result, the price of the vital agricultural input has increased.
In Nigeria, where Muriate of Potash (MoP) is imported from Russia, the fertiliser price has tripled since the war broke out.
Unfortunately, the importation of MoP (potassium chloride) into Nigeria has been hampered, further impacting the commodity’s price due to Africa’s biggest economy being forced to source fertiliser elsewhere.
Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said recently that 34 000 metric tons of Russian fertiliser meant for Nigeria was stuck at European Union (EU) ports. Millions of Nigerian farmers, many of them poor, rely on fertilisers such as MoP to grow their crops.
According to Russian News Agency, TASS, Lavrov spoke to reporters at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and said a total of 260 000 metric tons of Russian fertiliser has been stranded in EU ports since 2022.
"But we are ready to give these fertilisers to African countries for free.
“It took six months to deliver the first batch of 20 000 tonnes to Malawi, and another three months to take another 30 000 to Kenya," TASS quoted him as saying.
Lavrov added: "We also have 34 000 tons for Nigeria, but have so far been unable to send it."
The 34 000 metric tons is the equivalent of 680 000 units of 50kg bags of fertiliser.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 2022 has increased global food prices as well as the prices of commodities such as fertiliser.
Russia and Ukraine together supply about 30% of global wheat exports and around a fifth of the world's maise.
The US, Canada, EU and other allies imposed sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine. It also encouraged other countries to isolate Russia.
