Australia will continue to be supplied with fertiliser and urea by Indonesia, despite a critical shortage threatening crops due to the Middle East crisis.
Rahmad Pribadi, head of Indonesia’s state-owned fertiliser manufacturer Pupuk Indonesia, told Australia’s ambassador in Jakarta, Rod Brazier, that supplies of essential materials would continue.
‘Food security is a shared responsibility because of our intertwined and interconnected value chain,’ Mr Pribadi told The Australian.
‘It is in Indonesia’s interests for Australia to remain a strong agricultural producer and exporter because Indonesia is also dependent on Australia for certain commodities. We are very connected.
‘I said Australia is one of our key markets and also a friendly state. In times like these, we need friends.
‘We definitely know in the next two months Australia will be in need of fertiliser for wheat planting. I am very sure certain quantities of fertiliser will go to Australia.’
Australia buys between 300,000 and 700,000 tonnes of urea from Indonesia annually.
China stopped fertiliser shipments in March, telling exporters to halt outgoing loads of urea and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) in order to protect its domestic market and food supply.
Australia will continue to be supplied with fertiliser and urea by Indonesia as a critical shortage due to the Middle East crisis threatened crops
China is one of the largest exporters of urea and UAN, sending out more than $13billion worth of the minerals last year.
The nutrients are used by Australian farmers to boost plant growth and crop yields, and the absence of such fertilisers could significantly affect food supplies.
‘We know the needs of Australian farmers. Indonesia needs to function as a stabiliser to friendly countries, and not let speculators take control,’ Mr Pribadi added.
‘We would like to make clear, not just to Australia but to the world that we will be a reliable supplier and not let fertiliser be used as a political tool.’
In response to China’s export halt, Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers sent representatives from CSBP, one of its chemical manufacturing companies, to China.
‘We haven’t let them (Chinese suppliers) off the hook,’ CSBP general manager Ryan Lamp told The Australian.
‘We expect them to explain to us what mitigating factors they’re taking to meet their obligations, and to provide clarity on the mitigating actions.
Mr Lamp added that they are working with industry bodies and the federal government to restore access to China and improve the supply chain.
In response to China’s halting of fertiliser shipments, Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers sent representatives from CSBP, one of its chemical manufacturing companies, to China
The conglomerate and others in the farming sector have also reportedly considered importing ammonium nitrate from Russia – but this would require the federal government to relax trade restrictions.
It comes after the ongoing conflict in the Middle East saw Iran effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow gateway for global shipments including oil and fertiliser.
More than 60 per cent of the urea blends imported into Australia travel through the passageway, according to Fertilizer Australia.
‘We are aware there are shipments stranded and cancellations of future shipments in the Persian Gulf,’ CEO Stephen Annells said on March 25.
‘Fertilizer Australia member companies are actively seeking to access increased quantities of urea from other manufacturing and supply regions, as well as sourcing alternative nitrogen products for farmers. We cannot guarantee these efforts will fully meet the needs of farmers in the medium term.’
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the government is ‘engaging directly with trading partners’ on fertiliser access.
