The NR Times Rural News
November 2, 2023
36 RURAL NEWS
Global fertiliser markets looking calmer in 2024, despite Israel-Hamas conflict uncertainty Rabobank After extreme market volatility and recordhigh prices in recent years, global fertiliser prices are expected to settle in 2024, despite uncertainty posed by the Israel-Hamas conflict as it currently stands, Rabobank says in a new report. In its just-released Semi Annual Fertiliser Outlook, titled What is next?, theagribusiness banking specialist says while the Israel-Hamas conflict creates some uncertainty in the outlook for fertiliser markets, the current impact for the food and agri sectors is manageable. Report co-author, RaboResearch farm inputs analyst Vitor Pistoia said overall, farmers around the world may feel some negative impact due to potentially rising costs of energy and fertilisers, at the margin, as well as slightly lower import demand and prices for grains and oilseeds due to the Israel-Hamas
Israel, Jordan, Egypt) and almost half of the phosphatic fertiliser exports (top five: Morocco, Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia).
RaboResearch farm inputs analyst Vitor Pistoia
conflict. “However, if the conflicts spreads to the broader Middle East/ North African (MENA) region, impacts on fertiliser supply – as well as grain, meat, and dairy demand – could be notable, he said. The report notes Israel is an important exporter of potash and phosphorus – in 2022 exporting six per cent of the world’s potash and eight per cent of its phosphate fertilisers. It remains to be seen
how much of those trade volumes will be impacted in the coming months, Rabobank says. While the broader MENA region, the bank says, accounts for about 30 per cent of the world’s nitrogen fertiliser exports (top five exporters: Qatar, Saudi, Egypt, Oman, Algeria), more than 25 per cent of global mixed fertiliser exports (top three: Morocco, Saudi, Israel), approximately 10 per cent of potassic fertilizers (top three:
Affordability index Mr Pistoia said: “while we are still some months away from 2024 – this year has been a much calmer year for the fertiliser market – and 2023 can be seen as a transition year, even with some remnants of all the market complications from 2022”. The bank’s models indicate a recovery in global fertiliser usage in 2023, up by around three per cent, compared to the seven per cent drop in 2022. For 2024, Mr Pistoia said, the initial analysis suggests an increase in global fertiliser use close to five per cent. “All this aligns with our affordability index (which tracks the cost of fertiliser relative to the prices achieved for grain and oilseeds.), which shows a much higher value than a year ago.”
AUSTRALIA NOW HAS A NATIONAL RECOVERY PLAN TO GUIDE PROTECTION OF WILD MACADAMIAS
Australia’s precious but endangered native nut, the macadamia, now has a National Recovery Plan to guide its protection. The National Recovery Plan for Macadamia Species was made jointly by the Federal and Queensland State Governments and legislated this month under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (https://www.legislation. gov.au/Details/ F2023L01376). It outlines the current status of wild macadamias and what Australians need to do to
protect this much-loved national icon. “We are thrilled that Australia now has a National Recovery Plan to look after our wild Macadamia species,” says Denise Bond from the Macadamia Conservation Trust. All four macadamia species originated in Australia. The Plan reviews a decade of conservation activities and finds that three of the four species are still vulnerable to extinction and the Macadamia jansenii species is Critically Endangered (reclassified from Endangered under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act on 12 November 2021). “Wild macadamias are threatened by clearing, habitat fragmentation, weeds and fire, and vulnerable to extinction if their remaining habitat is not carefully managed.”
First discovered by Australia’s First Nations people and then shared with newcomers to become the predominant Australian native commercial food crop, wild macadamias grow in small pockets of sub-tropical rainforest along the east coast from Gladstone in Queensland to northern NSW. “Just as we rely on other countries to safeguard genetic resources for most of the food we eat, Australia has an obligation to look after the genetic resources of our native nut,” says Ms. Bond. “Protecting wild macadamias and their habitat will conserve high value forests including endangered and critically endangered ecological communities.” The Macadamia Conservation Trust works with the Macadamia Species
Recovery Team to coordinate macadamia conservation activities across private, Local and State Government land. “The National Recovery Plan for Macadamia Species is the guiding document for macadamia conservation and we will use it to get the best possible outcome for Australia’s wild macadamias,” says Ms. Bond. The first Recovery Plan for macadamias, adopted in 2012, was commissioned by Horticulture Australia Limited and the Australian Macadamia Society in recognition of the value of wild macadamias as genetic reservoirs for macadamia farmers both in Australia and Internationally. It was the first species recovery plan ever developed by a horticultural industry.
DAVID JOCHINKE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION
David Jochinke has been elected President of the National Farmers’ Federation
Victorian grain and livestock producer David Jochinke has been elected President of the National Farmers’ Federation, succeeding Fiona Simson who steps down after seven years in the role. Hailing from Murra Warra in western Victoria, Mr Jochinke has served as Vice President of the NFF since 2017, and previously served as President of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation from 2016 – 2020. John Hassall, a farmer from East Pingelly in Western Australia also joins the NFF’s leadership team today in the position of Vice President. They are joined by QLD cotton producer Hamish McIntyre who has been elected as a Director of the NFF. Incoming President David Jochinke expressed his gratitude to the NFF membership for their support. “I want to thank the members for trusting me to lead the NFF at such an important moment. “Australian agriculture has so much opportunity ahead of it as we continue striving for our $100
billion vision. But right now, we’re also facing enormous challenges – from a difficult season in many parts of the country, to a trying policy environment in Canberra. “I look forward to working hard for farmers across Australia to give them a say on the issues facing the sector.” Mr Jochinke paid tribute to outgoing NFF President Fiona Simson for her years of service to the sector. “Fiona leaves an incredible legacy that will resonate for years to come. “She’s left nothing on the table, and her considered, collaborative and engaging leadership has left farmers everywhere in a far stronger position. “I thank her for the partnership we’ve had during our time together at the NFF and wish her, Ed and their family all the best for their next chapter. “I also acknowledge the other candidates who nominated for the position, who are both talented and passionate advocates who’ll continue to play a critical role within the NFF,” Mr Jochinke concluded.
