Myanmar farmers face rising fertilizer costs and fuel need amid Middle East conflict
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News)-Mar 16
Myanmar farmers may face difficulties due to rising fertilizer prices and increased demand for fuel due to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, U Ye Min Aung, chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF), told The Statesman.
Currently, the prices for urea fertilizer, commonly known as pearl fertilizer, among Myanmar farmers have increased by about 30 percent due to the conflict between the United States and Iran.
“As for the fertilizer sector, it is mostly imported from the Middle East, so we have seen that the prices of these fertilizers have increased in both domestic and global markets. So, for our farmers, the price of pearl fertilizer from the Middle East has also increased from U.S. dollar 450 or 460 to over 500 per tonne. So, the prices have increased by about 30 percent,” said U Ye Min Aung.
U Ye Min Aung said that although pearl fertilizer is produced by Myanmar's neighboring countries, the major producers are in the Middle East, as it is a petroleum-based fertilizer, so its price could increase.
“The most widely used pearl fertilizer is used by people in the Middle East, including Iran. Other neighboring countries also produce pearl fertilizer. It is based on gas or petroleum products from the Middle East. So pearl fertilizer might be an issue. But we have other fertilizers that can be used instead of pearl fertilizer,” he said.
Therefore, Myanmar farmers have come to a situation where they must consider using chemical fertilizers and natural fertilizers that can replace the pearl fertilizer.
“There are natural fertilizers. So we need to consider purchasing them as much as possible. This is something that we need to do in collaboration with relevant associations, companies and the government. We will start growing rice after Thingyan Festival. So, we will have to ensure that we have the necessary fertilizers and that natural fertilizers can be widely used,” said U Ye Min Aung.
In addition, U Ye Min Aung said that the demand for fuel could also be a challenge for farmers due to the hardships caused by the Middle East conflict.
“Farmers will need fuel for the summer paddy harvest. Then, if they plant summer paddy, they will need fuel to pump water. They will also need fuel for transportation in the villages and towns. But we will present it to the relevant departments in the townships and coordinate it. We are also working to coordinate and meet the needs as much as we can,” he said. –