UNTIL LAST SEPTEMBER, the year 2008 was record breaking for fertiliser mineral producers. Phosphate demand was through the roof, potash was threatening to break the 1,000 dollars/tonne barrier and sulphur was at a severe shortage owing to overwhelming demand, predominately, from the fertiliser sector. Since September 2008, across the board demand has dried up and producers have been left waiting for an upturn. With food shortages gripping regions of the world (particularly in Africa), the global population soaring, and increased biofuel demand looming, surely the need for fertilisers should always be there? Except in India where fertiliser is subsidised, the agricultural industry is subject to the same market dynamics as any sector. Despite the sheer necessity for food, it is not regulated by any governing body. For this reason, mineral shipments have all but stopped as the end users are waiting for clarity to the world's economic situation.
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