Minister says Russia to cope with fertilizer price growth

MOSCOW, Apr 5 (PRIME) -- The Russian government will cope with the mineral fertilizer price growth and prevent deficit, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev told President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

"The price for mineral fertilizers has somewhat increased this year. We, the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the regions are meeting to satisfy the sowing campaign needs of our farmers fully … I think we will cope. And I will emphasize that no fertilizer deficit is forecasted," Patrushev said.

Putin said that the government must ensure affordable loans to the farmers and added that there is much red tape in the sphere.

The president also said that Russia needs to support exports of goods with high added value. Patrushev said that some of the support areas need to be retargeted to achieve the goal.

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