Staff Reporter

Farmers all over the country have welcomed downward review of fertilizer prices saying that the move would go a long way in ensuring food security within the country.

Last year, a 50 kg bag of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was going for US$80 and has been reduced to around US$57 dollars.

Zimbabwean Fertilizer Company (ZFC) marketing manager, Farai Kamwendo told this publication that the prices of compound C and top dressing fertilizers has gone down by almost 16 percent

“The prices are coming down. We have basal fertilizer going down to US$38 from US$45, Compound C from US$55 to US$45 and top dressing coming down from US$65 to US$56. On average, this is a 16 percent decline in prices. We hope with all things being equal, the price will normalize and allow farmers to be viable,” said Kamwendo.

The price of fertilizers had skyrocketed to US$80 in 2022 due to political conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.

Farmers have welcomed the fall in fertilizer prices saying it will help boost production.

Gloria Chikukwa of Mazowe applauded the fertilizer industry for reducing prices and urged other agricultural companies to follow suit.

“Fertilizer is an important input in crop production and if the prices are high, production costs also increase. I urge other suppliers to emulate the fertilizer industry. Prices of other inputs such as seed and chemicals should also come down,” said Chikukwa.

Meanwhile, in a bid to cushion farmers from high fertilizer prices, Government last year introduced import duty-free policy for companies and individuals with the capacity to import 250 000 tonnes of fertilizers to ensure availability of the commodity.