According to the United Nations, Russia has contributed 260,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser that was sitting at European ports and warehouses for use by farmers in Africa.
“This will serve to alleviate humanitarian needs and prevent catastrophic crop loss in Africa, where it is currently planting season,” said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, praising the move.
He said a World Food Program-chartered ship left the Netherlands on Tuesday with 20,000 tonnes bound for Malawi in southeastern Africa. Dujarric estimated that it would take roughly a month to arrive in Beira, Mozambique, and then be transported overland to Malawi, a landlocked country.
“It will be the first of a series of shipments destined for a number of other African countries in the coming months,” Dujarric added.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, international fertiliser prices have risen even further, owing in part to limitations Moscow set on fertiliser shipments, claiming it needed enough for its own farmers.
According to the United Nations, fertiliser costs have climbed by a whopping 250% since the outbreak in 2019.
Russia is the world’s leading exporter of fertiliser. Because of the disruptions, shortages, and price rises caused by its quotas, fertiliser has become costly for some smaller farmers. This could significantly reduce their yields, potentially leading to food shortages the following year.
According to the World Food Program’s senior economist, rich and developing countries rely on fertiliser for 50% of their food production.
Russia has claimed that sanctions imposed by the West are to blame for a drop in exports. However, Western governments have frequently stated that they do not sanction Russian food products. However, certain shippers, banks, insurers, and other businesses involved in the transportation or purchase of Russian grain and fertiliser have been hesitant to do business with Moscow, fearing they may be sanctioned.