Fertiliser Price Increase A Result Of Global Shocks - Haritatos

The government says the sharp increase in fertiliser prices is a result of global shocks and is not affecting Zimbabwe only.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) conference, Agriculture Deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos said there is a need for the country to produce the fertiliser locally. He said:

The fertiliser issue is an international shock and it has got nothing to do with Zimbabwe.

We did not cause any of it, but our farmers are unfortunately being inconvenienced by the increasing price.

This is something we cannot get away from, unfortunately, because a lot of raw materials, between 55 to 60% of raw materials in any fertiliser that’s sold within our borders and even our neighbouring Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique are all dictated by international prices.

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Haritatos added that the government will consider the high fertiliser price when it announces the new pre-planting grain price. He said:

Going forward for the summer season, what we can guarantee our farmers is yes we agree that we do not like the price of fertiliser, it’s a worldwide issue, even if you go to Zambia they are selling fertiliser at a higher cost, but as government and Agriculture ministry, we will ensure that we take into consideration all input costs.

What farmers have to understand is that the high cost of fertiliser will be compensated by a higher producer price for our summer grains.

At the beginning of January this year, a 50kg bag of ammonium nitrate was pegged at around US$37 but is now being sold for at least US$55. | NewsDay