Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Dan Collyns in Lima

Worldwide fertiliser shortage prompts Peru to turn to bird poo

Workers carry sacks of guano to be used as fertiliser.
Workers in Peru carry sacks of guano, which has risen in price due to fertiliser shortages brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photograph: Manuel Medir/Getty Images

As countries around the world wrestle with shortages of imported fertiliser as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Peru has turned to a tried and tested alternative: bird poo.

In the 19th century, fortunes were made and lost on guano, the potent excrement of fish-eating seabirds which was harvested by enslaved people from Africa and indentured Indigenous and Chinese labourers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.