Alsfeld (dpa/lhe) - As a result of the Ukraine war, the Hessian farmers' association expects further price increases for food of an unprecedented magnitude. Association President Karsten Schmal explained on Wednesday at the Hessian Farmers' Day in Alsfeld that the entire food chain is being confronted with massive cost increases, especially for energy, fuel and fertilizers as well as in logistics. These cost increases in the marketing chain would have to be passed on to consumers.
Should there be an interruption in Russian gas deliveries, Schmal demanded that sufficient production capacities for nitrogen fertilizers must be maintained - because they are essential for agricultural production. Similar to the national stockpiling of natural gas and liquid gas, Schmal spoke out in favor of setting up a "national fertilizer reserve". Should there be any interruptions in production, significantly lower harvests must be expected from next year.
The rising raw material and energy costs also caused problems for Hessian animal husbandry and especially for pig and cattle farmers. Companies are currently getting out in large numbers - and whoever stops is gone forever, warned Schmal. Hesse only has a share of about two percent of all pigs kept in Germany. In order to ensure a regional meat supply, it is important to maintain these companies.
The outgoing Prime Minister of Hesse, Volker Bouffier (CDU), underlined the importance of agriculture for Hesse at the farmers' day. "The aim must be to preserve it because it is important to us on so many levels," said Bouffier. The state government will do everything to strengthen agriculture. "All of us as consumers can also make a contribution by buying food from our region."
