Christophe Hansen, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, has warned that the European Union must move beyond short-term financial aid and secure sustainable fertiliser supplies to prevent looming food shortages. Speaking to Euronews, the Luxembourgish commissioner stressed that the bloc's structural dependence on imported energy and fertilisers leaves it dangerously exposed to global shocks.
Hansen's remarks come as the conflict in the Middle East drives fertiliser prices higher, compounding a crisis that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Between 2020 and 2024, fertiliser prices rose by 60%, driven by soaring natural gas costs—the key input for nitrogen-based fertilisers. The European Commission responded in May with a Fertiliser Action Plan, offering financial relief, but Hansen insists that only deeper reforms will ensure long-term resilience.
"We need to do our homework as well and address the issues to make fertilisers not only available but also affordable, because, otherwise, there will be food shortages in the European Union," Hansen said. He noted that many farmers across Europe are considering abandoning crops because production has become too expensive and they cannot pass on costs in competitive markets.
Structural Vulnerabilities and Dependence on Imports
The commissioner highlighted that Europe imports between 40% and 45% of its fertilisers from third countries, leaving farmers vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical blackmail. "The main ingredient in chemical fertilisers is energy, and Europe remains heavily dependent on energy imported from outside the European Union," he explained. This reliance extends beyond agriculture: Hansen drew parallels with other sectors, such as semiconductors and medical products, where Europe's import dependence creates strategic vulnerabilities.
"We see these dependencies in many other sectors... That makes us vulnerable, something we really need to tackle in order not to be able to be blackmailed," he said. The commissioner pointed to the need for stronger domestic production, including greater use of organic fertilisers, improved nutrient recycling, and precision farming techniques. "There is a lot to gain through efficiency and better nutrient use," he added.
However, Hansen acknowledged that some raw materials for fertiliser production are not available within Europe, making reliable international partnerships essential. He cited a recent meeting with G7 agriculture ministers focused on soaring fertiliser costs, noting that "this is not only a European problem; it is a global problem."
Financial Support and Long-Term Investment
The Fertiliser Action Plan includes more than €500 million in immediate aid, with €200 million drawn from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) crisis reserve and €300 million in additional support. Member states can top up this amount by 200%, potentially bringing the total to €1.5 billion. Hansen is expected to reveal the exact allocation this Friday.
Despite the urgency, Hansen argued that investing in long-term solutions will ultimately be less expensive than continued over-dependence. "This will be less expensive than being over-dependent," he said, emphasising that the EU must ensure a stable and reliable production cycle to avoid repeated crises.
The commissioner's warnings come as European policymakers grapple with broader supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the Iran conflict. The EU's Fertiliser Plan underscores the deep link between energy costs and food prices, a connection that has become increasingly critical. Meanwhile, innovative approaches such as Swedish football fans urinating for fertiliser independence highlight grassroots efforts to reduce reliance on imports.
Hansen, whose brother and father are farmers, stressed that the fertiliser crisis had already begun before the Middle East conflict, driven by the energy crisis from the war in Ukraine. "We have now seen two consecutive [crises], and this will come back if we do not ensure a more stable and more reliable production cycle and availability," he concluded.
