Seized Russian fertiliser consignment finally arrives

ABOUT 10 000 tonnes of fertiliser, which are part of the 26 000-tonne consignment from Uralchem Group, a leading Russian agrochemical producer, have arrived in Zimbabwe.

Uralchem pledged close to 300 000 tonnes of fertiliser to various developing countries in 2022 to combat the global food crisis that was triggered by the conflict in Eastern Europe.

Zimbabwe, alongside Malawi, Nigeria and Kenya, was among the African countries to benefit from the initiative.

Following successful deliveries to Malawi (20 000 tonnes) and Kenya (34 000 tonnes) early last year, Zimbabwe’s first shipment arrived via the Port of Beira in Mozambique in January on a vessel chartered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The remaining portion of the 26 000 tonnes is in transit and expected to arrive soon.

Delivery of Zimbabwe’s share was initially blocked by the European Union (EU) as part of the bloc’s blockade on Russia’s agricultural exports, which was effected in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

As a result of the blockade, Zimbabwe’s fertiliser was held at European ports for months.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Russia, prohibiting the export of a wide range of goods, including fertiliser, arguing that the country was using the shipments to finance its war effort.

The bloc believes blocking the exports will pressure Moscow into ending its special military operation in Ukraine.

However, following lengthy negotiations with the WFP, European authorities eventually relented and agreed to release the fertiliser, some of which will go to Nigeria.

The EU, however, continues to hold on

to more than 100 000 tonnes of Uralchem’s fertilisers that have been donated to other developing countries.

Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos confirmed the latest development.

Speaking after inspecting another consignment of wheat donated to Zimbabwe by Russia on Friday, he said the fertiliser would go towards supporting the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme.

“In the morning, I was in Bindura inspecting the MOP (muriate of potassium) that was donated (by Russia),” he said. “Basically, they donated 16 000 tonnes of MOP, which is a raw material that goes into making the fertiliser compound.

“They also donated tonnes of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) that has a similar formulation as CAN (calcium ammonium nitrate), which is a top-dressing fertiliser. Both consignments are currently coming into the country.”

Zimbabwe, he said, has since received 4 000 tonnes of MOP and 6 000 tonnes of NPK.

“So, both of these consignments, which came on another ship, are work in progress,” he said.

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