Japan's farmers face higher fertilizer prices - NHKニュース

Japan's biggest fertilizer supplier says it will raise prices for the upcoming farming season.

The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations says the increase is mostly due to higher natural gas costs related to the Middle East conflict.

The Federation says the hikes are for the November-to-May period.

Prices for most nitrogen-based products made from natural gas will jump as much as 21.7 percent.

Prices of phosphate products will also rise due to export controls by China. Farmers will also pay more for potash.

As a result, prices for benchmark compound fertilizer containing the nutrients will climb more than 15 percent.

The Federation says it will continue to monitor developments in the Middle East to ensure stable supply to Japan's farmers.