Belarus’ share of the African potash fertilizer market fell to 3% in 2022 from 42% the previous year due to Western sanctions and the country’s loss of its key transshipment route via the Lithuanian port of Klaipėda, Russia’s Interfax news agencyreported, citing Valentin Rybakov, Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).
Rybakov was participating in an open debate in the UN Security Council on “Hunger and Conflict-related Food Insecurity in the World.”
According to Rybakov’s estimates based on FAO data, “the almost complete disappearance of Belarus from the list of potash suppliers [to Africa] last year led to a 16% drop in the grain harvest in Africa.” Belarus’ sales volumes to Africa were not reported.