As a result of the ongoing energy crisis and the volatility of natural gas prices, there has been a significant reduction in the production of inorganic and mineral fertilizers within the European Union. This situation is placing pressure on the agricultural sector while also creating opportunities for efficient, sustainable, and locally available alternatives.
Slovak companies associated within the Association of Organic Fertilizer Producers of the Slovak Republic (AVOH), led by ROKOSAN, s.r.o., have long been developing and implementing solutions based on the processing of animal, plant, and biological waste into fully-fledged organic fertilizers.
These products, containing amino acids, humic and fulvic acids, vermicomposts, beneficial microorganisms, biochar, and other functional components, represent a comprehensive alternative to traditional fertilizers produced from natural gas.
Context and need for a solution
The production of mineral fertilizers, especially ammonia, is highly energy-intensive and heavily dependent on natural gas (approximately 1,150 m³ per ton of production). Current geopolitical factors and disruptions in the chemical industry have caused fertilizer prices to rise by approximately 40% and reduced their availability.
Although the market is sufficiently supplied in the short term, the medium- and long-term outlook indicates the need for diversification of sources and stabilization of production.
Slovakia has sufficient input resources—animal and plant waste, as well as natural sources of humic substances—that enable continuous production of organic fertilizers.
AVOH products can replace inorganic fertilization by up to 60% in soil applications, fully cover foliar plant nutrition (100%), improve soil quality, and support regenerative agriculture.
At the same time, they are economically competitive—the cost per hectare is 10–15% lower compared to conventional fertilizers.
Technological and economic benefits
- annual natural gas savings for Slovakia of approximately 100 million m³,
- low carbon footprint of production (approx. 0.0006 t CO₂ per ton of product),
- utilization of existing capacities (rendering plants, poultry operations) for decentralized production,
- high added value of final products (from approx. €400–500/t input to at least €4,000/t output),
- rapid return on investment in technologies,
- applicability in agriculture as well as in the revitalization of environmentally burdened areas.
Member companies of AVOH are implementing smart agriculture elements, including precision fertilizer application, the use of drones for plant nutrition and protection, and biotechnological processes that increase production efficiency. These approaches also enhance the sector’s attractiveness to younger generations.
The proposed model is scalable across the EU. Using existing processing capacities (about 400 plants), it is possible to ensure stable production of organic fertilisers as an alternative to mineral inputs across Europe. The Association of Organic Fertiliser Producers of the Slovak Republic (www.avoh.sk) brings together credible members with significant credentials within the sector.
In conclusion, organic fertilizers produced from local resources represent a realistic, economically efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to the current model dependent on natural gas.
Under current conditions, this is not only a technological solution but also a strategic opportunity for Slovakia and the European Union to strengthen food security, energy independence, and the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
Companies associated within AVOH are ready to actively participate in the implementation of this solution in cooperation with the state, professional organizations, and the farming sector.
Author: Štefan Szöke, ROKOSAN s.r.o.
