Global Fertiliser Disruptions? Insect Frass.

Up until recently, a significant proportion of global food supplies were grown with fertiliser originating in Belarus and Russia. Now fertiliser supplies have been cut off and costs to produce fertiliser are at record highs resulting in global prices having tripled since 2020. The impact on Australian and global agriculture is becoming more apparent. Adding to this, rising fuel prices, cost of shipping and transportation, delivery of food to grocery stores and inflation are all contributing to higher food costs for consumers with the sharpest CPI increases in over 30 years and dramatic changes in spending behaviour.  

According to the Guardian, Australia has previously imported 60% of mono and diammonium phosphate fertilisers from China but this supply is now being restricted. Russia has also imposed a quota on sales. In an interview with The Guardian, Farmer Dianne Haggerty believes that rising prices of synthetic fertiliser are a

“reflection of the true cost of using artificial fertilisers”.

It is well known that the use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers can create runoff which negatively affects aquatic environments through eutrophication. However, Dianne believes that the benefits of reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers do not end there, saying that over time

“you have a more resilient farming system that isn’t requiring artificial inputs”

Insect Frass is a natural fertiliser that helps to create a living ecosystem in the soil which means that plants can better utilise nutrients and avoid the long-term degradation of soil heath and impact of surrounding environments. The benefits of Frass do not stop there. Higher crop yields, improved crop immunity, and enhanced soil microbiomes can be seen when Frass is applied.

Frass is produced by our insects eating upcycled food manufacturing by-products which have not even had the chance to reach consumers. Typically these nutrient rich materials have been thrown into landfill.  Viridian’s manufacturing process is carbon-neutral, further reducing the environmental impact of producing our food.

 The opportunity to solve a global problem and produce large volumes of Frass to service the horticultural industry has never been more apparent and urgent. The upside is increased food security and less reliance on artificial fertilisers to create cleaner and greener food.  

We must plant the seed now for future generations.