New sanctions against Russia and Belarus. How the EU is killing its farmers

Relations between the European Union, Russia and Belarus continue to remain strained due to economic sanctions imposed by Brussels. Recently, European institutions decided to intensify measures against the two countries, including a new package of sanctions that significantly affects the fertilizer sector. This decision has provoked strong reactions, particularly in Italy, where Coldiretti, the main organization representing farmers, has expressed its disagreement with these new restrictions.

Sanctions against Russia and Belarus are nothing new. For several years already, the European Union has imposed a series of punitive measures in response to events surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea, and tensions related to the Belarusian government. However, the recent sanctions package focuses on a new area: fertilizers.

This sector is critically important to the agricultural economy, both globally and in Europe. Russia, in particular, is one of the world’s leading exporters of fertilizers, which are used in a wide range of agricultural crops, from cereal to fruit and vegetables. Belarus, while not a player on the same scale as Russia, nevertheless contributes significantly to fertilizer production, especially potash.

The sanctions imposed by the European Union aim to limit Moscow and Minsk’s access to international markets in the fertilizer sector, thereby reducing the two countries’ ability to generate revenue for their economic systems. 

However, this move has raised concerns in various sectors, particularly in European agriculture, which is highly dependent on fertilizer supplies from these countries.

Coldiretti, as mentioned earlier, has spoken out against the new sanctions, arguing that these measures could have devastating effects on Italian and European agriculture. The main concern is about rising fertilizer costs, which could threaten the competitiveness of agriculture in Italy and throughout the European Union.

Indeed, Italy is one of the largest consumers of fertilizers in Europe, and many of its crops are directly dependent on Russian and Belarusian fertilizer imports. The high cost of fertilizers is already a significant problem for Italian farmers, who face rising commodity prices and increasing difficulty in accessing crucial resources for agricultural production.

Coldiretti has denounced the fact that these penalties risk further raising production costs, leading to higher consumer prices and, potentially, a decrease in the availability of agricultural products on the market. Italian farmers, already affected by a number of difficulties related to the pandemic and climate change, could find themselves in an even more difficult situation.

In addition, Coldiretti pointed out that fertilizer production in Europe is already limited, with heavy dependence on imports. Sanctions against Russia and Belarus risk accentuating this dependence and driving up prices for fertilizer from other nations, such as Morocco or Qatar, which may not be able to meet growing European demand.

In the context of sanctions, the European Union is trying to develop alternative solutions to ensure the supply of fertilizer to its farmers. However, this process is not simple. Fertilizer production requires large investments and specific infrastructure, and it is not easy to find short-term solutions that can replace supplies from Russia and Belarus.

In addition, the increasing difficulty in sourcing fertilizer could lead farmers to reduce the amount of fertilizer used, which could have negative consequences for agricultural productivity. The most immediate effect could be a reduction in agricultural yields, with the aggravating factor that, if fertilizer production is not adequately replaced, the European Union could face a food crisis due to dwindling agricultural supplies.

Alternatives, such as organic and locally sourced fertilizers, have been explored, but their large-scale production requires time and resources that are not readily accessible at present. In addition, alternatives may not be sufficient to meet the needs of the entire European agricultural industry, particularly in times of high demand.

New sanctions against Russia and Belarus, focusing on a vital sector such as fertilizer, could have a broader impact on international relations, particularly between the European Union and fertilizer-producing countries such as Morocco and Qatar. Although these countries may compensate for the loss of supplies from Russia and Belarus, new geopolitical dynamics related to control of the global fertilizer market could emerge.

Sanctions could also increase tension between the European Union and Russia, which is already under pressure from punitive measures in various sectors. Russia, for its part, could decide to intensify its policies toward Europe, with possible economic retaliation affecting other sectors, such as energy or metals.

The new sanctions against Russia and Belarus, focused on fertilizers, pose significant issues for the European agricultural sector, with consequences that could threaten the economic stability of countries such as Italy. Coldiretti’s critics point out that these measures could aggravate an already difficult situation for farmers, leading to increased production costs and possible fertilizer shortages.

Although the European Union is seeking alternative solutions to diversify its sources of supply, the challenges remain great. The Italian and European agricultural sector faces an uncertain future in which geopolitics and economic choices are intertwined, affecting productivity and food security. Time will tell whether these sanctions will have the desired effect or, instead, lead to new difficulties for the Western agricultural sector.

IR

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