Islamabad November 17 2023: During October 2023, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim sold over twice the amount of DAP compared to the previous year, according to data released by National Fertilizer Development Centre.
“DAP demand and supply for Rabi 2023-24 season reflecting a gap of 138 thousand tonnes. Smooth gas supplies to FFBL during entire Rabi season are necessary to strengthen the national inventory” states the report.
DAP availability during Rabi 2023-24 is expected to be around 865 thousand tonnes, comprising 38 thousand tonnes opening stock, 435 thousand tonnes domestic production and 392 thousand tonnes imported supplies. DAP demand is estimated as 901 thousand tonnes for Rabi 2023-24 reflecting a gap of 138 thousand tonnes (including 100 thousand tonnes buffer stock). Smooth gas supplies to FFBL during entire Rabi season are necessary to strengthen the national inventory.
Rabi 2023-24 started with 77 thousand tonnes urea. Total availability of urea is estimated at 3,647 thousand tonnes with domestic production of 3,370 thousand tonnes and 200 thousand tonnes of imported supply. Urea demand during Rabi 2023-24 is projected around 3,335 thousand tonnes showing a tight supply demand situation during Dec, 2023 and January 2024. The availability of urea can be improved by keeping all plants operational at full capacity during entire Rabi season and timely import of 200 thousand tonnes as per ECC decision.
Overall, Pakistan Urea and DAP offtake was 459 and 159 thousand tonnes that increased by 6.8 and 122 per cent, respectively over October 2022. DAP offtake seems extraordinary high due to record low offtake in October 2022 because of occurrence of floods. Total nutrient offtake during October 2023 was 349 thousand tonnes, which increased by 24.8 per cent over October 2022. Nitrogen, phosphate and potash offtake increased by 11, 97 and 62 per cent, respectively.
Total domestic fertilizer production during October 2023 was 781 thousand tonnes. Urea and DAP production were 537 and 72 thousand tonnes, respectively. Production of other products i.e. CAN, NP, SSP, SOP and NPKs were 80, 77, 11.4, 1.2 and 3 thousand tonnes, respectively.
Total imported supplies were 179.9 thousand tonnes comprising 172, 2.0, 3.6, 2.0 and 0.3 thousand tonnes of DAP, Ammonium Sulphate, MOP, SOP and MAP, respectively.
Price of Urea (other), CAN, DAP and NP increased by 0.3, 0.6, 1.1 and 1.9 per cent, respectively during October 2023 as compared with previous month. However, price of Urea (sona), SSP (G), SOP and NPKs decreased by 0.7, 0.9, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent, respectively over September, 2023. The average price of urea (sona), urea (other) and DAP was Rs. 3,786, Rs. 3,707 and Rs. 12,183 per 50 kg bag, respectively.
