ISLAMABAD: The weekly fertiliser review meeting on Friday noted that punitive measures undertaken against hoarders and profiteers had resulted in significant reduction in urea price close to notified rate of Rs1,768 per bag.

The provincial departments informed the meeting presided over by Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtyar about punitive steps undertaken against hoarders and profiteers, said a press release.

The committee noted that not only adequate fertiliser stocks were available to meet the requirements of Rabi season, but its price has also declined significantly.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Trade Abdul Razak Dawood, officials of the fertiliser industry, provincial departments and the petroleum division also attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the supply-chain situation and production trajectory of fertiliser plants.

Representatives of the Fertiliser Manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council -- a collective forum of all the fertiliser manufacturers in Pakistan -- informed the meeting that the output of plants has been increased, and up to 20,000 tonnes of urea was being produced daily.

Mr Bakhtyar asked the industry to increase urea supplies by 30 per cent i.e. about 3,000-5,000 tonnes countrywide to ease down the market. He said Fatima Fertiliser based in Sindh and Agri Tech units would be made operational in full capacity by January and February next year.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2021