BPC To Export 1.93 Mn Tonnes Of Potash to India In Next 6 mths.

New Delhi: Leading global potash supplier Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) has been contracted to supply 1.93 million tonnes of muriate of potash (MoP) to India over the next six months this fiscal, sources said.
     
"As of now, BPC has contracted to supply 1.93 million tonnes of potash to India. If talks with state-run MMTC materialise, then total exports could touch 2.1 million tonnes," the industry sources said.
     
The contracted potash will be supplied at a flat rate of USD 490 a tonne in the next six months, they said.
     
Out of 1.93 million tonnes, BPC will supply 1.2 million tonnes of potash to Indian Potash Ltd (IPL), 0.4 million tonnes to Zuari Industries and 0.15 million tonnes to Nagarjuna Chemicals and Fertilisers, they said.
     
BPC has been contracted to supply 60,000 tonnes each to DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd, Deepak Fertilisers and Mangalore Fertilisers and Chemicals, they added.
     
BPC is the marketing arm of major potash miners and producers Uralkali and Belaruskali.
     
Earlier this month, the government had assured Parliament that domestic supply of potash will improve from September, as India has made a breakthrough in securing a long-term contract for import of the fertiliser.
     
Amid a tight global supply situation, India could not finalise potash imports in the first half of the current fiscal on account of high prices. This led to domestic shortages.
     
As per official data, potash supply was sluggish, at 6,31,000 tonnes, till July this fiscal, as against the requirement of 13,43,000 tonnes.
     
The entire demand for MoP in the country is met through imports, as India has no viable source of potash deposits, he added.
     
The industry sources mentioned that global prices of potash are expected to remain firm beyond USD 490 a tonne due to robust demand.

Source : zeenews.india.com