Ammonium nitrate shortage could cost Ukraine up to 20% of harvest — Associations urge opening of CAN imports via ports
The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council (VAR) and the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) have appealed to the Ministry of Economy to urgently allow imports of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) through seaports. The call follows a sharp deterioration in the supply of nitrogen fertilizers ahead of the spring sowing campaign.
Industry associations recall that after Russia’s attacks on port infrastructure, a ban was imposed on the transshipment, storage, and transportation of several types of cargo, including ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate. However, agrarian associations emphasize that the inclusion of CAN in the list of explosive materials lacks scientific justification.
“No explanation has been provided as to the documents or studies on which the conclusion that calcium ammonium nitrate is explosive was based,” the appeal states.
According to the associations, both international and national standards indicate the opposite.
“Under the UN Model Regulations, calcium ammonium nitrate falls under UN 2071 — non-explosive substances. Grades A and B with a nitrogen content of no more than 28% are classified as non-combustible, fire- and explosion-safe substances,” the associations stress.
As VAR noted, due to the current ban and the simultaneous decline in domestic production, the market has already faced shortages. As of February 2026, the deficit of nitrate fertilizers is estimated at 100,000–170,000 tons. Production of ammonium nitrate in Ukraine has nearly halved — from 1.99 million tons in 2024–2025 to 1.016 million tons in the 2025–2026 season — due to infrastructure attacks and power supply disruptions.
“A reduction in total harvests due to nitrogen shortages could reach 20%,” the appeal warns.
The associations state that they support wartime security measures but propose introducing controlled imports under clearly defined safety parameters.
Specifically, they suggest allowing imports via Danube ports with a safety data sheet for products containing up to 80% ammonium nitrate (nitrogen content up to 27.52%), and via Black Sea ports for products containing up to 70% ammonium nitrate (nitrogen content up to 24.08%).
