Introducing export duties on fertilizer has been discussed, though no final decision yet - Manturov

SOCHI. Sept 19 (Interfax) - Introducing export duties on fertilizer has been discussed, though no final decision on the matter has been taken yet, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told reporters on Monday.

"A decision has not yet been taken. Indeed, there have been discussions, though a final decision has not been taken," Manturov said on the sidelines of the Innofood international forum on innovative technologies in the food industry and agriculture.

The Kommersant publication, citing sources, reported last week that the Russian government has been considering imposing a six-month export duty on all types of fertilizer, and that the Finance Ministry is already calculating the rate based on 60 rubles/$1. According to the publication, there are plans to collect around 105 billion rubles overall from the chemical industry in a year.

The matter of imposing export duties on fertilizer in Russia has been repeatedly raised amid the sharp rise in prices, though producers have managed to avoid the measure by freezing prices for domestic consumers.

Exporting nitrogen and compound fertilizers from Russia has been subject to quotas since last year. The measure is currently valid until December 31, 2022, though the Industry and Trade Ministry has not ruled out extending the quotas until May 2023.