(Reuters.) – Russia announced Tuesday that it has established quotas on fertiliser exports between July and December. It stated that this was done to ensure sufficient nutrients are available for the domestic crop farmers.

This restriction extends the restrictions that were in place for six months. It comes despite Russia exporting fertilisers to Ukraine being subject to Western sanctions since Russia sent thousands into Ukraine on March 24.

According to government statements, the nitrogen fertiliser quota will be at 8.3 millions tonnes for simple nitrogen-containing fertilizers and at 5.9million tonnes for complex ones.

It stated that “the decision is intended to prevent a shortage of fertilizers in the country and avoid food price increases.” The trade and agriculture ministers would divide the quotas among different exporters.

Russia is the world’s largest producer of potash and phosphate as well as nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Russia produces over 50 million tonnes of these fertilisers annually, which is 13% of global production.

Moscow has decided in November to restrict fertilizer exports from Dec. 1, to May 31, to curb rising food prices.

It stated that it would continue to set quotas for the winter and spring sowings four months later.

Industry experts claim that Russia continues to sell complex fertilizers to Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, despite Western sanctions.