Russian govt to extend export quotas on mineral fertilizer until at least December 2022 - Abramchenko
MOSCOW. May 18 (Interfax) - The Russian government is extending the quota for exporting mineral fertilizer from June 1 until at least December 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko said during a meeting of the government commission on the agro-industrial complex.
"The government is extending the previously taken measures on setting quotas for exporting mineral fertilizer from June until at least December 2022. As before, the domestic market must remain a priority for producers in order to meet fully the needs of farmers, and achieve results in the production of agricultural products. From June 1 of this year until May 31, 2023, more than 15 million tonnes of fertilizer will have to be purchased, which is 23% more than the previous year," Abramchenko's press service quoted her as saying.
Abramchenko said that the government's measures to provide farmers with the necessary resources have proven to be effective.
The statement recalls that the quota for exporting nitrogen and complex nitrogen-containing fertilizer is valid until May 31, 2022, after being introduced on December 1, 2021, while exporting ammonium nitrate was banned until May 1 this year. Producers and regions have concluded agreements on maintaining prices for domestic consumers.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the plan for purchasing mineral fertilizer for agricultural producers has been completed at 84%.
As previously reported, President Vladimir Putin in April instructed the government to extend the quotas on mineral fertilizer following a meeting on developing agro-industrial, fisheries and related industries.
According to the statement, the commission during the meeting also discussed the issue of providing agricultural producers with machinery and equipment. The program to grant subsidies to producers is the key mechanism for the government to support demand for Russian agricultural machinery. Indeed, the government in 2021 has allocated 10 billion rubles to implement the program, and farmers have received nearly 22,500 pieces of equipment worth 99.5 billion rubles.
Additionally, the Industry and Trade Ministry has drafted a government resolution on creating a separate subprogram, "Agricultural machinery and equipment", aimed at establishing and introducing agricultural machinery and equipment into mass production. Following the commission meeting, the Industry and Trade Ministry received instructions to expedite resolving matters related to manufacturing potato and beet harvesters.
Moreover, the commission during the meeting discussed the risks of a shortage of spare parts for imported agricultural machinery amid the sanctions imposed against Russia. Representatives of the Industry and Trade Ministry told the members of the commission about the ongoing work in the area of import substitution of agricultural machinery, and about preparing new investment projects.
Members of the commission also discussed the issues of introducing a labeling system for dairy products.