Farmers Urge to Unlock Fertilizer Imports Through Ukraine’s Sea Ports

The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR) appealed to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration Oleg Kiper to urgently open sea ports for nitrogen mineral fertilizer imports.

The fertilizer market is deteriorating, risking a 30% drop in crop yields and a food crisis.

The core issue is the ban on importing through sea ports not only explosive ammonium nitrate grade A but also safe nitrogen fertilizers like urea and NPK that neither explode nor burn.

The ban has been in force since July 18, initiated by the Naval Forces.

Sea imports previously allowed bringing ammonium nitrate 10-20 euros per ton cheaper than land routes.

Farmers demand lifting restrictions at least for key mineral fertilizers: UAN, ammonium sulfate, urea, potassium chloride, superphosphate, and NPK blends 10-26-26, 8-20-30, 18-18-18, 20-20-20.