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Coffee farmers scramble for alternative fertilizers amid Russia/Ukraine war

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March 24, 2022

Coffee farmers are searching for fertilizer alternatives as fertilizer costs soar on account of the war between Ukraine and Russia, a major fertilizer supplier, according to a Bloomberg report. Some are exploring organic waste to replace nitrogen, potash and phosphorous fertilizers.

The problem is especially severe for small scale farmers since the price of arabica coffee has not kept pace with fertilizer and fuel costs.

The Green Markets North American Fertilizer Index jumped 30% this year to a record high, while potash index in Brazil surged 36%, also hitting a new high since January.

Growers in Guatemala are exploring organic composts such as household waste, coffee cherry pulp and chicken manure to reduce the need for traditional fertilizer, while Brazil, the biggest importer of crop nutrients and the top coffee grower, has enough fertilizer for three to six months.