Opinion: January 3, 2022. Can the Urea Shortage Impact our Lives?
The short answer for this is yes. Urea is a relatively simple compound. It is a good source source of nitrogen. It requires energy to be produced, usually from natural gas. The increased prices of energy, specially of natural gas have caused the shortage.
Its main use is fertilizer. As it was said before it is a great source of nitrogen, essential for plant growth. If there is a shortage of fertilizer, there will be a shortage of food. Shortages mean higher prices and less availability.
A second important use of urea is as a post-combustion emission suppressant in diesel engines. Most trucks (which drive logistics and transportation) are diesel based. Disrupting the trucking industry will further complicate the supply chain issues being experienced for other reasons
Most depend on natural gas for urea production. However, as urea is used as fertilizer, compost or green manure can be made as an alternative. This will reduce the pressure on natural gas.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day
Saw this making the rounds on the news in Australia, with potential impact to our farmers