The price of fertiliser in Zimbabwe has increased by 71%, the World Food Programme (WFP) has said in its latest report, adding the hike was likely to affect this year’s summer cropping season.
The WFP said challenges being faced in accessing fertiliser mainly as a result of sharp price increases is likely to negatively impact production of the winter cropping season and the 2022/23 agricultural season.
“The price of a 50kg bag of AN fertiliser increased by 71% to an average US$94 by end of June 2022 compared to US$55 during the previous cropping season,” it added.
However, according to the WFP, the lifting of import duties on prioritized basic food and non-food commodities in response to emerging shortages will cushion some household groups, but access for poorer households will likely remain constrained.
“Although the ZIMVAC RLA 2022 indicates slight improvements in the food consumption patterns, it also projects deterioration of food security situation in the country, as measured by access to cereals, from 27% in 2021 and 38% during the peak hunger period i.e. January to March 2023.”
The increase in fertiliser prices in Zimbabwe has been blamed on the ongoing Ukraine/Russia war.
