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Rising fertilizer costs and financial strain challenge farmers as wheat fertilization begins

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Farmers are gearing up for wheat fertilization, which has led to a surge in demand for mineral fertilizers. This increase in demand, coupled with ongoing challenges, has resulted in a rise in prices since the beginning of the year. Additionally, the ongoing gas crisis is expected to further impact fertilizer prices.

This January, wheat crops were not protected by snow, though the plants are resilient and can tolerate frost and low temperatures. Farmers note that after facing initial challenges at the start of the growing season, the crop has benefited from favorable weather conditions in December. “We sowed on time, but not all of it sprouted. About 30 percent sprouted. Now, it’s as if everything has evened out. It sprouted, there was no moisture in the marshes, it was colorful,” says Milan Lazić, a farmer from Sighetu.

In response to rising costs, farmers have been cutting back on mineral fertilizer usage since the sowing season. However, they stress that there can be no compromise when it comes to fertilizing for optimal yields. The primary concern now is how to finance the necessary fertilizers.

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“It’s more convenient for cash, but we don’t have enough funds to pay for everything in cash because we have other expenses. You could say half and half. Half for cash, half for exchange for grain,” explains Bogoljub Radin, another farmer from Sighetu.

Farmers have faced financial strain due to drought, low yields, and unprofitable prices in recent years. As a result, many are entering the new season with existing debts. This has led some production organizers to offer less deferred payment, focusing only on reliable producers.

“Our company only provides agro-rok to reliable producers because, unfortunately, we’ve had two or three difficult years where farmers suffered losses. Some have even had to sell part of their fields,” says ÄŒaba BorÅ¡oÅ¡, a production organizer from Adorjan.

The uncertainty surrounding fertilizer availability and pricing is further exacerbating the situation. In January, urea prices on the stock exchange increased from 390 to 430 euros per ton, depending on the packaging. This price hike continues to challenge farmers as they prepare for the upcoming season.

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