Seven Fertiliser-Laden Ships to Arrive This Month

Seven cargo ships carrying a combined 250,000 tonnes of fertiliser are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh this month, as the government moves to strengthen supplies and stockpiles ahead of the Aman and Boro cultivation seasons.

The shipments include 150,000 tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP), 60,000 tonnes of triple superphosphate (TSP) and 40,000 tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP), according to sources at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Authorities are also close to finalising arrangements for around 10 additional shipments of DAP, MOP and TSP for delivery next month, the sources said.

According to ministry documents, two ships carrying 60,000 tonnes of TSP from Morocco are due to arrive this month. One is scheduled to reach Bangladesh on 8 September, followed by the second on 11 September. Another vessel carrying 40,000 tonnes of DAP from Morocco is also expected to arrive on 8 September.

Bangladesh is importing 150,000 tonnes of MOP from Russia and Canada this month. Russia is supplying 70,000 tonnes in two consignments of 35,000 tonnes each, while Canada is providing 80,000 tonnes in two consignments of 40,000 tonnes each.

Two of the four MOP shipments are expected to arrive this week, while the remaining two are scheduled for 13 and 15 September.

BADC estimates that DAP demand will reach 1.127 million tonnes during the peak fertiliser season from September to February. Against this requirement, 680,000 tonnes are currently under import processing or negotiation for delivery through January.

Demand for MOP during the same period is projected at 672,000 tonnes, compared with 680,000 tonnes currently under import processing or negotiation.

TSP demand is estimated at 519,000 tonnes, while 360,000 tonnes are in the final stages of import processing or negotiations under government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

A senior BADC official involved in fertiliser imports, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 10 to 12 vessels carrying DAP, MOP and TSP would arrive in Bangladesh each month through January.

“The September shipments are already on their way. Loading of some October consignments has been completed, while the remaining ones are being loaded. Letters of credit (LCs) for subsequent shipments will be opened soon,” the official said.

Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam said fertiliser demand is typically highest from late October to mid-February, when farmers grow winter vegetables, potatoes, onions and maize alongside Boro rice.

“Nearly 40 per cent of the country’s annual fertiliser demand is generated during this season. So, it is important to increase supplies and stockpiles from now, while also boosting domestic production,” he said.

The increased shipments come amid reports of fertiliser shortages in several districts during the Aman season. In Kurigram, farmers reportedly broke into a dealer’s warehouse and took fertiliser. The Ministry of Agriculture subsequently took disciplinary action, transferring several agriculture officials over alleged negligence.

The ministry, however, has maintained that there is no overall fertiliser shortage in the country.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said fertiliser imports were a continuous process, with monthly imports adjusted according to demand.

“Although imports from Saudi Arabia and Qatar were suspended for some time due to the war in the Middle East, fertiliser is now being brought through alternative routes. So, there is no uncertainty over fertiliser imports,” he said.