Fertilizers- Meeting short-term needs while working towards sustainable solutions

Fertilizers: Meeting short-term needs while working towards sustainable solutions

Monday, 24th July, 11:30-12:30

The event will bring together high-level policy-makers and experts to discuss short-term solutions to the problem of fertilizer affordability and accessibility, while addressing the longer-term objective of promoting responsible and sustainable practices in agricultural fertilization that respond to environmental concerns and support global food security. The session will delve into issues such as response initiatives to meet short-term demand, the implementation of innovative solutions in fertilizer application, the importance of technology transfer and training, and trade-related policy responses and measures implemented during crises.

World fertilizer prices soared since late 2021, due to rising energy and natural gas prices, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, and trade restrictions. Prices of urea reached almost USD 1 100/tonne in April 2022, nearly four times their average level in 2020. Prices declined in recent months, but they remain elevated. While fertilizer availability has improved globally, affordability and accessibility continue to be a major concern, especially in lower-income countries, which could lead to less fertilizer application, and thus lower yields and production. Solutions need to be found for both the short and longer term.

The session will focus on the following questions:

What measures must be implemented to improve fertilizer affordability and accessibility and avoid negative effects on food production?
How can fertilizers play a positive role in the transformation of agrifood systems? What solutions can be foreseen?

By tackling these two questions, the session will address the immediate problems and how to overcome them, while discussing the policies that should be considered in fertilizer use and application to achieve the longer-term objective of sustainable agrifood systems drawing on concrete examples and country experiences. The session will result in a set of actionable policy recommendations.