New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Urea imports declined by 36.43 per cent to 51.65 lakh tonnes till January this fiscal on better domestic output and less diversion of the subsidised fertiliser, a senior government official said today.
The country had imported 81.26 lakh tonnes of urea in April-January period of 2015-16 fiscal.
"Urea imports have been less so far because there is a better domestic supply and introduction of neem-coated urea has restricted diversion to industrial use to some extent," a senior Fertiliser Ministry told PTI.
There was higher carryover stock in the country following an increase in the domestic urea production by 20 lakh tonnes to 245 lakh tonnes last year, he said.
No supply issues have been faced this year, said the official, adding that an adequate urea was positioned well in advance in states during the kharif (summer) season and in the ongoing rabi (winter) season. The annual domestic demand of urea is estimated at 300 lakh tonnes. The rest is met through imports.
Urea is a controlled fertiliser and is sold at a fixed selling price of Rs 5,360 per tonne. The difference between cost of production and selling price is paid as subsidy to manufacturers.
Source: indiatoday.intoday.in