Fertilisers

Fertilisers play a significant role in food security. Fertilisers can be mineral or organic. The primary nutrients required for crop production are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Farmers apply fertilisers made from atmospheric nitrogen, mineral and organic sources to meet the nutrient requirements of their crops and to support yields. The EU is largely dependent on imports of mineral fertilisers. Furthermore, during the peak in gas prices in the summer of 2022, gas had come to account for up to 90% of the variable production cost of nitrogen fertilisers. This resulted in a 149% increase in the price paid for these products by EU farmers in September 2022 compared with September 2021, impacted farmers income and food prices. The objective of the EU farm-to-fork strategy is to reduce nutrient losses by 50% by 2030 while preserving soil fertility. This is expected to lead to a reduction in fertiliser use of at least 20%. Research and innovation on the sustainable management of nutrients aims to find the balance between maintaining and enhancing yields while reducing fertiliser-related losses and emissions, environmental impacts and costs. In addition, developing methods to extend efficient nutrient recycling from organic waste streams contributes to reducing the dependence of European agriculture on mineral fertilisers from outside the EU. The mission 'A soil deal for Europe' pioneers the transition to healthy soils and sustainable nutrient cycling management, supporting crop productivity and reducing contamination.