UN tries to ink new ammonia export deal with Russia

The United Nations revived talks with Vladimir Putin to increase Russia’s ammonia exports. The UN’s goal is to prevent global agricultural output from decreasing in the wake of a sharp rise in international fertilizer prices.

“We are on the verge of a fertilizer market crisis,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following a meeting with Putin last Wednesday, September 14. “We heard the news from various parts of the world where crop areas are smaller than in the previous campaign, which suggests that we can’t expect increases in 2023 either,” he said.

On July 27, the UN and Turkey helped to craft an “unprecedented agreement” between Russia and Ukraine that allowed the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. Since then, there have been 136 shipments from Ukrainian ports, with just over 3 million tonnes of grain and other agricultural products.

The agreement is also viewed as a step forward in Russian grains and fertilizers gaining global markets. Despite financial constraints that complicate business, these products have not been affected by Western sanctions, and their export could help stabilize food prices and prevent hunger, which affects hundreds of millions of people.

“There are some Russian food and fertilizer exports, but far fewer than what is desirable and required,” says Guterres. “Removing the obstacles that still exist for Russia’s fertilizer exports is crucial.”

Source: Valor Econômico

To read the full original article, please go to: https://valor.globo.com/agronegocios/noticia/2022/09/16/onu-tenta-acordo-para-russia-elevar-exportacoes-de-amonia.ghtml

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