French Imports of Russian Fertiliser Surge Since Start of Ukraine War

French imports of fertiliser from Russia have significantly increased during the Ukraine war, casting doubts on the government’s commitment to ensuring France’s agricultural self-sufficiency. Traditionally, 60 to 70 percent of fertilisers used on French farms are imported. In 2021, France imported 442,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Russia, but this figure surged to 725,000 tonnes in 2023, a year after the conflict began.

Jean-Luc Bourgeaux, MP for Ille-et-Vilaine, expressed concerns over the rising imports to the Ministry of Agriculture ahead of the International Agriculture Fair in February. In response, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced measures to reassure farmers of the government’s dedication to agriculture as a priority.

“France must be sovereign,” Attal stated at a press conference. “Agricultural sovereignty is our course.” Accompanied by Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau, and Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Béchu, Attal emphasized, “We want to place agriculture among the nation’s fundamental interests, just like our defence or security. There can be no country without farmers.”

Despite these assurances, France’s ongoing dependence on foreign fertiliser continues to raise concerns about the nation’s agricultural independence.