According to data made available by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), Romania imported 0.3 million tons of fertilizers last year, worth €149 million, while exports made up a total of some 2 million tons, bringing local producers €559 million in revenues.
“The year 2008 was an exceptional year for fertilizer producers, due to outstanding conditions on the international market. Demand for fertilizers rose significantly, which led to a hike in exported volume and prices,” according to Prime Transaction financial investment company Analyst Paul Brendea.
The top export markets last year were France, which acquired €60.8 million worth of fertilizers from Romania, Turkey, at €46.4 mln, and Hungary, to which Romania sold fertilizers worth €65 million. Russia was the top exporter, selling €31 million worth of fertilizers to Romanian companies. “They have cheap energy, both oil and natural gas. Obviously, oil-based products (rubber, petrochemical products) and gas-based products (including fertilizers) are also inexpensive,” Brendea said.
