Kiev to ease rules for checking imported fertilizers for possible Russian origin

MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - Starting this week, Ukrainian customs will no longer require importers to carry out laboratory tests on fertilizers to confirm that they are not of Russian origin, Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Nikolai Solsky as saying at a meeting of the Ukrainian Grain Association.

"If we have the task of checking fertilizers for possible Russian origins, then we will need a classification of fertilizers, first of all, to exclude those that even theoretically cannot be Russian, have never been and are not produced there," Solsky said.

In his words, the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry and businesses have divided imported fertilizers into green, yellow and red groups. The tests will be conducted by a new principle: if an importer has documents confirming direct contact with a non-Russian manufacturer, such cargo will not be checked.

"We stop sweeping laboratory checks. They cause delays and create problems on the market. Fertilizers must be supplied on time. We begin document checks," Solsky said, adding that the new approach to fertilizer checks would take effect this week.

As reported, the Ukrainian domestic market has been experiencing problems with the provision of farmers with fertilizers for spring sowing in 2024.