Fertilizer shortage adding to food crisis
Published: April 30, 2008 at 7:50 AM
NEW YORK, April 30 (UPI) -- Rising fertilizer prices and shortages stand as a threat to proper nutrition for tens of millions of the world's people, food experts are saying.
The United Nations' World Food Program said millions could face malnutrition, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Fertilizer prices are triple what they were a year ago, the Times reported, and shortages are also becoming common as economies around the globe have greatly increased demand.
The International Fertilizer Industry Association says to the Times that fertilizer use has increased 31 percent in the past eight years with consumption rising 56 percent in developing countries.
Some U.S. farmers reported that fertilizer hard to find last fall, the Times said.
"If you want 10,000 tons, they'll sell you 5,000 today, maybe 3,000," a fertilizer dealer in Davenport, Iowa, told the Times.
"The rubber band is stretched really far," he said.
The United Nations' World Food Program said millions could face malnutrition, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
Fertilizer prices are triple what they were a year ago, the Times reported, and shortages are also becoming common as economies around the globe have greatly increased demand.
The International Fertilizer Industry Association says to the Times that fertilizer use has increased 31 percent in the past eight years with consumption rising 56 percent in developing countries.
Some U.S. farmers reported that fertilizer hard to find last fall, the Times said.
"If you want 10,000 tons, they'll sell you 5,000 today, maybe 3,000," a fertilizer dealer in Davenport, Iowa, told the Times.
"The rubber band is stretched really far," he said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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