EU will need to reduce dependence on fertilizers – commissioner in Vilnius

VILNIUS - The EU population will have enough food in the coming years, the European commissioner for agriculture said in Vilnius on Wednesday.

However, one will need to boost food production and reduce dependence on fertilizer imports, Janusz Wojciechowski said.

"We have no risk for the food security in the European Union in a short term. I could say it‘s a very strong declaration. The EU is a big food producer, we have now a surplus in the trade relations, we export from the EU," he told a press conference in Vilnius on Wednesday.

He cited data showing that the EU's exports of food and agricultural products stood at 184 billion euros in 2020, and imports amounted to 112 billion euros.

As Ukraine cannot export grains through its ports due to the ongoing war with Russia, some sectors will be affected by this situation, the commissioner said, stressing the need to ensure grain exports.

"A more dramatic problem is the disruption of Ukrainian exports to the Middle East region and to North Africa. We have the concerns that a lack of food and supply of wheat can be a reason for some tension, some problems in these regions. This is very important to support Ukraine to continue exports (…) to support Ukraine in alternative export corridors like Poland, the Baltic ports and also in Lithuania. This is very important to continue that export," the EC member said.

In the future, he said, one will need to strengthen food production and agricultural systems, to be less dependent on fertilizer imports, and to have access to tools and modern technologies that will help to reduce the use of fertilizers and boost productivity.