In Latvia, they called for The EU urgently needs to make decisions on fertilizers, otherwise disaster is coming

If emergency measures regarding mineral fertilizers and fuel are not taken, then in A sharp rise in food prices is possible in Europe. This was stated by the head of the board of the Latvian agricultural organization "Farmers' Council" Juris Lazdins.

"Important decisions on prices for mineral fertilizers and fuel should be taken promptly at the level of the European Union, otherwise we should expect a sharp rise in food prices and, potentially, a migration crisis," he said.

According to him, in Latvia the cost of the sowing campaign this year is from 1000 to 1200 euros per hectare. But the government's decision to reduce the excise tax on diesel fuel will reduce these costs by only five euros per hectare. He also noted that this is a small amount, which can be regarded more as a symbolic gesture than as a solution that significantly mitigates the rapid growth of costs.

In addition, Lazdins pointed out that for the first time in the last 20 years, even before the start of sowing, it is clear that production costs exceed potential revenues, even with optimistic forecasts for the harvest. As a result, farmers across Europe plan to leave part of the land uncultivated. In his opinion, in Latvia the area of such uncultivated land may triple. As Lazdins explains, if the situation does not improve, then European farmers may massively refuse to cultivate fields, since even under the most positive scenario, each hectare will cause losses.

Lazdins also said that while maintaining current resource prices, there is a risk that by 2027 there may be a global food shortage, which will lead to higher prices and food shortages in the poorest regions of the world, as well as increased migration flows to more developed countries, including the EU. He stressed that Latvian farmers expect the government to work actively at the level of The EU is reviewing a number of "green" initiatives that make food production even more expensive. As an example, Lazdins cited the climate tax on mineral fertilizers, which farmers need to pay for every ton of imported mineral fertilizers.

It should be reminded that after 2022 the EU decided to limit the possibility of supplying Belarusian and Russian fertilizers to the community. However, due to problems in the global market, a number of countries have called for a revision of such a policy. In particular, earlier Hungary appealed to the EU with a request to suspend the existing and additional duties on the import of fertilizers from Belarus and Russia.