MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured farmers and the public that the Philippines maintains a stable supply of fertilizer despite geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, which have raised concerns about possible disruptions in fertilizer shipments from the Gulf region, particularly from major supplier Qatar.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the government’s procurement strategy, which includes year-long contracts, has ensured an adequate stockpile that will last until the end of 2025.
“Given the current situation, we’ve reviewed our fertilizer inventory and found that our stocks are sufficient until year-end,” Tiu Laurel said. “With our advance biddings and procurement, we’re in a good position even if the conflict drags on.”
He added that the country also has alternative fertilizer sources, such as Russia and Brunei Darussalam, to further safeguard supply stability.
Aside from fertilizer, Tiu Laurel said the DA is not anticipating any major surge in agricultural commodity prices. While petroleum price hikes may lead to some increases in input costs, he clarified that the effect is not expected to be drastic.
“The recent increase of over PHP1 in fuel prices won’t lead to an exponential rise in agri prices,” he noted. “There might be slight adjustments, but we don’t foresee any unreasonable price speculation.”
The DA continues to monitor global developments and is prepared to take further action if the conflict’s impact escalates.
NPO News Team!
PNA-PR
