Increase on Fertilizer Prices Blamed on Scarcity

Shortage of Fertilizer across the country has led to increased global prices by 21.6 percent.

The increase in prices has been linked to the strict vetting riles on imports and clearance delays at Mombasa port.

The landed cost for a tonne of fertilizer at the Port of Mombasa has risen rose to 28,950 shillings compared to 26,032 shillings in 2017.

A 50-kilogram bag of Calcium Nitrate (CAN) is being retailed at 2,800 shillings, up from 2,250 shillings, while wholesalers are buying it at 2,250 shillings, up from 1,800 shillings.

Primarosa Flowers Managing Director Bobby Kamani said delayed release of fertilizer from the port to agro-shops risked derailing farm operations as many flower farms are running short of the manure.

According to the Kenya Tea Development Agency, the rise in global fertilizer prices will see smallholder tea farmers pay more than last year.

Lasts year the agency distributed a 50-kilogram bag at 1,730 shillings but this is expected to rise to 2,000 shillings.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that the average prices of one ton of NPK fertilizer have been increasing since October last year from 25,200 shillings to the current 26,000 shillings.

Farming accounts for a third of Kenya’s annual economic output and the high cost of fertilizers means farmers will avoid using the nutrients, hurting output.