21.02.2025, 15:29
FT has learned about the plans of the European Union to replace Russian fertilizers with local manure
Source: OREANDA-NEWS
OREANDA-NEWS The European Union wants to replace at least some of the fertilizers imported from Russia with products from the processing of manure and urine from local animals, the Financial Times writes.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen told reporters that manure-based fertilizers can reduce dependence on imported chemical fertilizers and are cheaper than artificial equivalents, which require a lot of energy to produce.
"The livestock sector can make a positive contribution to a closed-loop economy, where production is domestic and there is no need for external supplies," he said. In addition, such a model "is not based on high energy prices, such as gas," he noted.
Manure and food waste can also be used to produce biogas as an alternative energy source, as the European Union seeks to eventually cut off all natural gas supplies from Russia.
In fact, Russia continues to export its gas at the expense of fertilizers, since large volumes of gas are required for the production of ammonia used in chemical fertilizers. High gas prices have also made European-made fertilizers uncompetitive, which has hit jobs.
Last month, the European Commission proposed imposing import duties on Russian fertilizers, but some member states are reluctant to support them because farmers will have to pay more for alternative supplies.
Russia already accounts for about 30% of the EU import fertilizer market, compared with 17% at the end of 2022. According to the EU statistical Office, in 2024 farmers bought 5.7 million tons in Russia worth 1.9 billion euros. Other major fertilizer suppliers are Morocco and Egypt.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen told reporters that manure-based fertilizers can reduce dependence on imported chemical fertilizers and are cheaper than artificial equivalents, which require a lot of energy to produce.
"The livestock sector can make a positive contribution to a closed-loop economy, where production is domestic and there is no need for external supplies," he said. In addition, such a model "is not based on high energy prices, such as gas," he noted.
Manure and food waste can also be used to produce biogas as an alternative energy source, as the European Union seeks to eventually cut off all natural gas supplies from Russia.
In fact, Russia continues to export its gas at the expense of fertilizers, since large volumes of gas are required for the production of ammonia used in chemical fertilizers. High gas prices have also made European-made fertilizers uncompetitive, which has hit jobs.
Last month, the European Commission proposed imposing import duties on Russian fertilizers, but some member states are reluctant to support them because farmers will have to pay more for alternative supplies.
Russia already accounts for about 30% of the EU import fertilizer market, compared with 17% at the end of 2022. According to the EU statistical Office, in 2024 farmers bought 5.7 million tons in Russia worth 1.9 billion euros. Other major fertilizer suppliers are Morocco and Egypt.
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