The European Commission announced measures to ensure the availability and affordability of fertilisers for farmers across the 27-member bloc. Officials blamed the Covid-19 induced supply chain disruptions and the energy crises for the very high prices. It estimated fertiliser prices have increased by 149% since September 2021.
Fertiliser producers can be prioritised for continued and undisrupted access to natural gas in cased of rationing. Support will also be enabled for farmers and fertiliser producers to ensure food production. €450 million will be expedited from the agricultural reserve to offset what farmers are paying for high input costs.
Organic fertiliser production will also be prioritised. they will also regulate the market more closely to avoid price gouging. Internationally it will lobby to avoid export restrictions.