Will food cost more because of soaring fertilizer prices? Rise in nitrogen fertilizer prices: the concern of a player in the sector

They are called "nitrogen fertilizers". Farmers use it in the spring to stimulate plant growth. But recently, their prices are skyrocketing. This problem only concerns agriculture for the moment, but could also affect the consumer in the medium term.

In 40 years of career, Eric Ghisbain has never experienced such a surge. It supplies farmers in the Soignies region with cereals and phytosanitary products. "Prices have really taken off, especially since the new year, he notes. All of this will have a dramatic impact on the profitability of crops," worries this wholesaler. The prices of nitrogen fertilizers have been multiplied by three, even four for some of them.

Imagine a hectare of wheat, for example. For each hectare, Eric Ghisbain estimates the loss at around 200 to 250 euros. Figures that make you dizzy if you multiply them by the number of hectares of a farm.

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The rise in energy prices in question

To explain this phenomenon, it should be noted that the manufacture of these chemical fertilizers requires gas. However, the price of gas has itself been increasing for several months, as have other sources of energy such as electricity, gasoline or diesel.

“When I heard that Putin was giving the order to send more gas to Europe, I said to myself that the prices of fertilizers were going to drop, says the wholesaler. But the sellers told me that no, that it would continue to increase. I am unable to tell you when it will stop, but it cannot continue any more", he despairs.

Because once spring returns, farmers may not be able to afford these fertilizers which have become too expensive. The yield of their plantations is then led to fall. And at the end of the chain, it is the prices of the food products on our plates that are also likely to increase drastically.