Ethiopia has seen a 50 percent increase in fertilizer imports compared with last year, yet more than 1.4 million metric tons from the previous season remain in state warehouses, according to officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, as reported by The Reporter.

Sofia Kassa (PhD), state minister of Agriculture, told Parliament’s Agricultural Affairs Committee on Friday that the lingering stock at the Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses Corporation (EABC) must be sold quickly. “This fertilizer must be sold before the cultivation season passes,” she said.

The delay in distribution stems from the absence of a price decision for the Belg season. Members of the Macroeconomic Committee, which includes the central bank governor and the minister of Finance, have yet to determine the rates farmers will pay. Without an approved price, sales to farmers have not begun.

Committee chair Solomon Lale said that while fertilizer shipments are arriving in regions such as Sidama, Oromia, and Amhara, many farmers remain unable to access supplies. “Distribution and sale to farmers has not started because a price has yet to be determined. The season is passing; prices must be set and sales started immediately,” he said. Farmers are currently relying on leftover fertilizer from last year’s stock.

Belg rains, occurring from February to April, support the cultivation of short-cycle crops such as wheat and barley in several parts of the country. Lawmakers raised concerns that the pricing delay is forcing farmers to postpone sowing, which could affect yields.

Ministry officials said the federal government has budgeted 1.2 billion US dollars to import 3.9 million metric tons of fertilizer this year. As of last week, 1.4 million metric tons had been procured, with over half already in Ethiopia or in Djibouti.

Logistical constraints have also slowed distribution. Sofia noted that while imports began arriving earlier than in previous years, regional shortages of warehouse space prevented timely unloading and storage. She urged regional administrations to construct additional storage facilities.

EABC, responsible for procuring most of the fertilizer used in Ethiopia, remains under reform following a major corruption scandal last year. Federal police detained several senior managers in November, including former CEO Kifle Woldemariam. His successor, Yeshimebet Negash, has been tasked with leading an organizational overhaul at the corporation.

The federal government spends roughly 1 billion US dollars annually on fertilizer imports, providing the commodity to farmers at subsidized rates. However, an International Monetary Fund document outlining Ethiopia’s Extended Credit Facility programme notes that these subsidies will need to be reduced gradually as part of ongoing economic reforms.