Indian Fertilizer Lags Targets

NEW DELHI - Nov 10/-06 - SNS -- Fertilizer output in Indian is running behind targets set by the government, according to official output data released overnight.

The estimated production of major fertilizers in the country during September 2006 was 1.713 million metric tons (MT) of urea and 524,000 MT of DAP as against the target of 1.583 million MT and 440,000 MT respectively.

Cumulative production of urea and DAP during Kharif 2006 up to September 30 had been 9.761 million MT and 2.470 million MT against the target of 9.893 million MT and 2.726 million MT respectively.

During the month, approximately 1.615 million MT of urea was despatched to the States as against the target of 1.583 million MT. Availability of urea during the month was about 3.256 million MT. The position was satisfactory in all the states. Further, sale of Urea during Kharif 2006 up to September 30 was about 11.365 million MT which was higher by about 5.55% as compared to the sale of 10.767 million MT in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Availability of DAP and MOP during the month had been about 2.465 million MT and 1.289 million MT respectively, which was adequate to meet the demand of the States.

During the month the country imported 248,000 MT of urea, 356,000 MT of DAP and 551,000 MT of MOP. In addition, 165,000 MT of urea was also received from OMIFCO plant in Oman. The cumulative import of urea, DAP and MOP during April – September 2006 had been 1.863 million MT, 1.783 million MT and 860,000 MT respectively.