Putin: World market suffers from 'artificial obstacles' on fertilizers

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Nov 2022 11:20

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that work is underway for Russian fertilizer to reach the world market despite some countries' attempts to disrupt the process.

Russian fertilizers (Bloomberg)

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday that his country is ready to "expand work" to supply fertilizers to the international markets despite "artificial obstacles" created by some countries.

The statement came during a meeting with the CEO of Uralchem, one of the country's biggest mineral fertilizers producers, Dmitry Mazepin.

"I know that the work is underway, the work is going quite well, despite the artificial obstacles created by some countries. Only world markets suffer from this, as I understand it," he said.

Putin emphasized that Russia is "ready to expand this work with all partners without any exception," while criticizing the obstruction of the commodity's supply to countries in dire need of it.

Earlier in September, Putin announced that Russia is ready to export potash fertilizers to developing countries free of charge as a donation.

"Our producers, we are primarily talking about potash fertilizers, are actually willing to donate it to developing countries that are in dire need of these fertilizers," said the leader back then.

Putin approved Mazepin's idea entailing that the UN and the African Union will unblock about 260,000 tonnes of fertilizers, which the company is ready to supply free of charge.

The Russian President also approved a proposal submitted by the head of Ulchram that announced the company is ready to donate 260,000 tonnes of fertilizers after the African Union (AU) and the United Nations would unblock them.

In recent months, food prices have surged around the world, increasing concerns of famine in poor countries due to the war in Ukraine, which, along with Russia, is one of the world’s leading grain producers.

The executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) stated earlier this month that all nations must cooperate in implementing the grain deal since the world needs Russian grain and fertilizers, whether other countries "love or hate Russia."

"I don't care whether you love or hate Russia, we need Russian grain and fertilizer around the world. Otherwise, a whole world will pay a price," he said.