The head of Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Dmitry Patrushev, indicated at a government gathering that Moscow may extend the current restrictions on fertilizer exports through November 2023. He noted that the existing measures target specific fertilizer categories and are aimed at containing market volatility and ensuring domestic supply during a period of global disruptions. The remarks were reported by TASS and followed a broader briefing where the government outlined its assessment of the agricultural export landscape and the tools available to maintain stability in prices and availability for domestic farmers across Russia.
Patrushev explained that keeping certain export controls in place provides a margin of control over the international market while allowing Russia to project greater certainty to domestic producers. By selectively restricting shipments, the government intends to balance competing pressures from foreign buyers and internal agricultural needs, reducing the risk of sudden price spikes and ensuring ongoing access to essential inputs for farmers and agro-industrial enterprises. This approach reflects Moscow’s strategy of leveraging food and agricultural commodities as a strategic instrument in its broader economic posture, especially amid global supply chain strains and geopolitical headwinds widely reported by state media and policy briefings.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, who previously led Estonia as prime minister, asserted that European Union sanctions have not precluded the export of grain and fertilizer from Russia. The assertion came as she participated in a high-level EU summit where leaders discussed how sanctions intersect with the functioning of global markets. The remark underscores the nuanced picture of sanctions enforcement and the continuing flows of certain Russian agricultural products despite political measures aimed at economic pressure, a topic frequently debated among EU officials, member states, and market observers.
In another development, the Russian embassy in Riga released a statement accusing Latvia of withholding 70 percent of Russian fertilizers under what it described as a hypocritical pretext as part of the broader grain deal at the Baltic ports. The claim spotlights ongoing frictions over port access, logistical arrangements, and the allocation of scarce fertilizer supplies to nations facing the sharpest needs, particularly among the poorest users. The dispute highlights the delicate balance between sanctions, humanitarian considerations, and the commercial interests of exporters in the region, a dynamic widely tracked by analysts and regional policymakers when assessing supply chain resilience in Eastern Europe and the wider Black Sea corridor.
At the United Nations, Russia’s permanent representative, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Moscow has not complied with the U.N. agreement that obliges the organization to facilitate the liberalization of exports of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products to international markets. Nebenzya’s remarks were framed as part of a broader dialogue about restoring normalcy to global food and fertilizer markets, a topic that has dominated international diplomacy in recent years. The exchange reflects the ongoing debates within the United Nations about the role of multilateral commitments in stabilizing commodity markets, safeguarding food security for vulnerable nations, and reconciling geopolitical tensions with the practical needs of farmers and consumers worldwide.