Price hike: Fertiliser prices skyrocket

Almost all types of fertilisers are being sold at exorbitant prices.


Sarfaraz Memon June 22, 2011

SUKKUR:


Almost all types of fertilisers are being sold at exorbitant prices, because the sowing season of Kharif crops, especially paddy and sugarcane, is just around the corner, according to farmers.


A bag of urea costs Rs1375 to Rs1400, instead of Rs1275 per bag, while a bag of DAP ranges from Rs4000 to Rs4500 per bag, instead of 3,945 per bag, they claimed.

Prices of all edibles, especially vegetables and fruits sky rocket in the holy month of Ramzan and prices of onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger, rise just before Eidul Azha. Similarly, prices of agricultural inputs were raised well before the sowing season, they said.

According to them, the government was importing fertilisers, and so far 50,000 tons of fertiliser had been imported, while 150,000 tons was still in the pipeline.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sindh Hari Committee President Mandhal Shar said that fertiliser companies were producing less fertilizers due to lack of gas supply, causing a resultant shortage of fertilizers in the country.

According to him, the government was spending a significant amount on importing urea, but enough attention was not being paid to ensure a smooth supply of gas to the fertiliser industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2011.

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