New Delhi: The government today said there is no shortage of urea in the country and sales of the key soil nutrient were higher during the ongoing rabi season compared to the same period last year.
"There is no shortage of fertilisers, particularly of urea, in the country. During the rabi season of 2014-15, sales up to January 2015 have been higher than the last year," the Fertiliser Ministry said in a statement.
The statement comes amid reports of shortage of urea during the season due to lower imports in months preceding to the rabi season.
The statement also said that 73.02 lakh tonnes of the urea were imported during April-January of the current fiscal as against 67.87 lakh tonnes of urea in the same period last year.
"In the peak consumption month of December 2014, urea sold was 35.88 lakh tonnes, which is the highest ever in any month. In the month of January 2015, 32.36 lakh tonnes of urea was made available against the requirement of 29.41 lakh tonnes for the same month," the Ministry said.
In February, the Ministry has made plans for supply of for 29.6 lakh tonnes against a requirement of 16.71 lakh tonnes of urea. Of this, 14.71 lakh tonnes has been made available till February 15.
"To ensure adequate availability of urea during the ensuing Kharif season of 2015, the Department of Fertilisers has planned in advance to procure 10.5 lakh tonnes of urea in February and March, through the tender floated through MMTC in January," it said.
In February and March, 12 lakh tonnes of imported urea are expected to arrive, the Ministry said.
The annual demand for urea in the country is around 30 million tonnes, while domestic production is around 22 million tonnes. The shortfall is met through imports.
Urea is the controlled commodity as its maximum price is fixed at Rs 5,360 per tonne, while the difference between cost of production and selling price is paid as subsidy.
