Ukrainian fertilizer production saw a sharp decline in March, with key plants facing major operational disruptions, according to industry publication Infoindustria.
The Rivneazot and Cherkasy Azot plants reported a significant drop in production capacity. Rivneazot’s output fell to just 45%, while Cherkasy Azot’s dropped to 31% by March 21. This marks a sharp decrease from mid-February when both plants were running at 65-67% capacity.
The decline in production is linked to Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s gas transportation system. These strikes have disrupted operations during a critical period when demand for fertilizers typically spikes ahead of the agricultural season.
Industry experts highlighted that the ongoing attacks on infrastructure have severely impacted fertilizer manufacturing. The effects are being felt not only in production but also in the wider supply chain.
Experts predict that urea production in Ukraine will fall by 45-50% compared to last year. With limited alternatives available for imports and restricted purchase volumes in April, fertilizer prices are expected to stay high.
The Ministry of Economy reported on March 10 that economic growth slowed to just 0.7% in February, largely due to the damage caused by ongoing infrastructure attacks.
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