Russian fertilizer giant PhosAgro vows to double its export volume to Africa
Saint Petersburg, July 27, 2023 (FBC) – PhosAgro is the largest Russian exporter of fertilizers to Africa with a market share of 33 pct. Over the past 5 years alone, the company has increased the supply of mineral fertilizers to Africa 4.5 times — from 117.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 540 thousand tons in 2022.
PhosAgro briefed African journalists gathered in Saint Petersburg to attend the Africa-Russia Economic and Humanitarian Forum which is part of the Second Russia-Africa Summit on the activities it is undertaking to play an active role in the efforts underway to increase agricultural productivity in the continent.
The journalists visited the production and packaging units at PhosAgro’s new plant in Volkhov, Leningrad Region of the Russian Federation.
During the media briefing session, Mikhail Rybnikov, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of PJSC PhosAgro, said his company is committed to contributing in increasing Africa’s agricultural productivity.
The CEO noted that PhosAgro is currently producing 57 different fertilizer products based on the soil type and climate conditions of the importing countries.
Mikhail Sterkin, Deputy CEO for sales, marketing and logistics at PhosAgro, for his part, said over the past year alone, PhosAgro’s exports to African countries grew by a quarter.
Mikhail said Africa is one of PhosAgro’s priority areas for international development and his company is working hard to double its shipments to Africa in the next 3 years.
The launch of a new plant in Volkhov City of Russia’s Leningrad Region is a factor in expanding the export potential to Africa, according to the Deputy CEO.
PhosAgro supplies its products to 21 African countries and is actively working to expand its export geography, the Deputy CEO indicated.
Alexander Sharabaika, Deputy CEO for Finance and International Projects at PhosAgro, for his part, stated that since 2018, the company, in partnership with FAO, is implementing a global project to expand soil laboratory networks in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the middle east and improve farmers’ skills in sustainable soil management.
He added that, in its partnership with FAO, the company is also implementing a project entitled “AfriLab” to minimize soil degradation by doing Chemical analysis and applying measures to address the problems.
FosAgro has also launched an Educational Platform named Pro Agro Lectorium to train consumers of the African continent in the fundamentals of mineral nutrition of plants and the correct use of mineral fertilizers with a view to promote ensuring food security, producing crops with high consumer qualities and minimizing environmental impact in the continent.
According to Alexander Sharabaika, PhosAgro is implementing another project named “Green Chemistry for Life” through which it has provided full sponsorship for 100 young African scientists who received grants for their research activities.
Andrey Guyev, the Head of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers, in his presentation during the briefing session, said Russia is one of the leading mineral fertilizers producers, adding the country attaches greater significance to its cooperation with African nations.
Since its establishment fifteen years ago, the Association has been contributing its share to ensure food security in Africa through fertilizer exports and activities aimed at enhancing knowledge of farmers and other actors in the agriculture sector through various cooperative frameworks.
It is stated during the briefing session that PhosAgro is expanding its cooperation with several African countries including with a view to support the efforts being exerted to boost agricultural productivity in the continent.
As part of the company’s efforts to expand its partnership with the continent, PhosAgro has signed cooperation agreements with universities of various African countries on the sidelines of the Second Russia-Africa Summit.
By Wondesen Aregahegn