Russia is one of the world’s largest exporters of fertilizer, and the component ingredients of fertilizer. As countries sanction Russia, there is a lack of fertilizer entering the global agricultural system, driving up the cost, and ultimately reducing crop yield as farmers cannot afford this needed input.
So what?
Lower crop yields and rising food prices as a result of a fertilizer shortage, have huge implications for food security. Many regions of the world are already very vulnerable to fluctuating food prices, and this could push many into food insecurity. While “natural” fertilizers such as animal manure are increasingly being used, this transition was not made smoothly, and has not worked to increase the resilience and regeneration needed in the agricultural system.
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