Fertiliser supply pressure mounts
Bangladesh’s fertiliser pressure is being driven not only by the shutdown of most state-owned plants but also by inefficient use at the farm level and the need to align imports more closely with actual demand, agricultural experts say.
They warn that excessive application by farmers is putting unnecessary strain on supplies, while prolonged disruptions in domestic production have made timely imports increasingly critical ahead of the Aman and Rabi seasons.
Gas shortages have crippled several major urea plants, while raw-material constraints have shut down others. At present, only Ghorashal-Palash Fertilizer PLC is operating among the seven factories under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC).
The situation has exposed the vulnerability of the country’s fertiliser supply chain at a time when uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict has also raised concerns over shipments from the Middle East.
Despite the shutdowns, the Ministry of Agriculture maintains that there is no immediate fertiliser shortage and says additional imports expected this month will ensure adequate supplies before peak seasonal demand.
The six plants currently closed are Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Company Limited, Jamuna Fertilizer Company Limited, Ashuganj Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited, Triple Super Phosphate Complex, DAP Fertilizer Company Limited and Shahjalal Fertilizer Company Limited.
Together, BCIC’s seven factories have a combined production capacity of around 7,100 tonnes a day. The only operating plant, Ghorashal-Palash, is currently producing more than 2,800 tonnes daily.
Gas shortage leaves major plants idle CUFL, with capacity to produce around 1,100 to 1,200 tonnes of urea a day, has remained shut since February due to inadequate gas supply.
Jamuna Fertilizer Company, capable of producing another 1,200 to 1,300 tonnes daily, has also been out of operation since February.
Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory has remained closed since March 1 last year because of the gas shortage. The plant has capacity to produce around 1,100 tonnes a day, while its prolonged shutdown is resulting in an estimated monthly loss of Tk 1.35 billion.
Shahjalal Fertilizer Company, with daily capacity of around 1,300 tonnes, has also temporarily suspended production because of gas constraints.
BCIC Joint Secretary and Director for Commercial, Production and Research Md Moniruzzaman, however, said production at Shahjalal could resume within a day or two, while CUFL is expected to restart on August 22.
The TSP plant has remained closed since November because of a shortage of raw materials, while DAPFCL stopped production on June 28 after supplies of phosphoric acid were disrupted.
Imports become critical With domestic production severely constrained, the government is increasingly turning to the international market.
Moniruzzaman said fertiliser is being sourced from Qatar and Saudi Arabia using alternative shipping routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Supplies are also planned from the UAE, while discussions are underway with Russia, Malaysia and Brunei.
Additional shipments from Canada, Russia and Morocco are also expected this month, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
The pressure is particularly significant ahead of the Rabi season.
Current urea stocks stand at around 568,000 tonnes against projected Rabi demand of 1.326 million tonnes. DAP stocks are about 352,000 tonnes against demand of 988,000 tonnes.
TSP reserves stand at 368,000 tonnes against demand of 449,000 tonnes, while MOP stocks are only 181,000 tonnes compared with projected demand of 598,000 tonnes.
Total fertiliser demand for the 2026-27 fiscal year has been estimated at about 6.77 million tonnes, including 2.62 million tonnes of urea, 1.49 million tonnes of DAP, 750,000 tonnes of TSP and 950,000 tonnes of MOP.
Experts flag inefficient use
Agricultural experts said production and imports were only part of the challenge, arguing that inefficient fertiliser use at the farm level was also putting unnecessary pressure on supplies.
Dr Mohammad Mahsin, an agricultural scientist and former additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said the pressure could be eased if farmers followed recommended fertiliser doses and imports were aligned more closely with actual demand.
Agriculturist Md Obaidur Rahman Mondal, director of the DAE’s Field Services Wing, said many farmers continue to apply fertiliser beyond prescribed levels in the belief that higher application will automatically increase yields.
Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan, meanwhile, insisted that the country is not facing an immediate shortage.
He said current stocks are stronger than at the same period last year and that incoming shipments should lift reserves above seasonal requirements.
The ministry has appointed 64 “Tag Officers” across all districts to monitor fertiliser stocks and distribution.
But with six state-owned plants still idle, Bangladesh’s ability to meet farm demand is increasingly tied to timely imports—leaving the country’s fertiliser security exposed to gas shortages at home and supply disruptions abroad.
Ahmed Faisal Imam, Additional Secretary of the Fertilizer Management and Inputs Wing at the Ministry of Agriculture, told The New Nation that there is no shortage of fertilizer in the country. The government provides dealers with a margin of Tk 2 per kilogram of fertilizer and supplies it according to demand.
Dissatisfied with this, they attempt to artificially create a shortage and hike prices. He added that the government imports fertilizer to meet demand because domestic production is hampered by the gas crisis. For instance, we have a demand for 5.82 million metric tons across four categories. We import whatever amount exceeds domestic production. He noted that this is a regular government process.
