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Bioenergy Heat Raises Global Fertilizer Prices
Domestic experts have emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach when it comes to energy consumption. According to the latest data from the State Customs, the country imported 6.46 million tons of fertilizers in the first half of this year, valued at approximately $1.51 billion—an increase of 23.5% and 32.5% compared to the same period last year. This reflects a broader trend of rising global fertilizer prices. The surge in bioenergy development, particularly in countries like the United States, has significantly boosted demand for chemical fertilizers, contributing to sharp price increases worldwide.
Global oil tensions have driven many nations to explore alternative energy sources, with bioenergy becoming a key focus. In the U.S., bioenergy production has surpassed 10 million tons and continues to grow. The U.S. aims to raise the share of bioenergy in transportation fuels to over 7% by 2012. The EU plans to incorporate 5.75% bioenergy into transportation within a decade, while Japan is targeting a 10% share in the next ten years. Brazil, a major player in biofuel production, expects to increase its bioenergy use to between 20% and 25%.
The expansion of bioenergy has significantly increased the demand for corn-based crops. Corn, once primarily used for food and feed, is now being utilized in various industrial applications such as starch, lysine, and fuel ethanol. As a result, the area dedicated to corn cultivation has expanded globally. Currently, about 20% of total corn planting is used for biofuels, but this is expected to rise to 35% in the next three to four years. Last year, processing capacity for major corn processing companies in northeast China exceeded 10 million tons. This growing demand has fueled a steady rise in global fertilizer prices.
For example, the price of DAP in Tampa, U.S., climbed from $256 per ton in early January 2007 to $422 per ton by late March—marking a 65% increase. Similarly, urea prices in the U.S. Gulf rose from $220 per ton in early November 2006 to $362 per ton by the end of March, also reflecting a 65% increase.
While some domestic experts acknowledge that bioenergy is a promising alternative to fossil fuels and can drive growth in related industries, they also caution that chemical fertilizer production is highly energy-intensive. The more fertilizers are produced, the more energy is consumed. To reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, society must carefully weigh the benefits and trade-offs involved.
In addition, since the start of this year, global energy prices—including coal, electricity, and gas—have been under upward pressure. To prevent energy shortages, several countries have imposed restrictions on fertilizer exports. For instance, Egypt and Indonesia have placed limits on urea exports, signaling a growing concern over energy security and resource allocation.