March 23, 2002

    The estimated production of fertilizers during February, 2002 was 8.74 lakh MTs of nitrogen and that of phosphate was 2.95 lakh MTs. Production in the corresponding month of last year was 8.22 lakh MTs of nitrogen and that of phosphate was 2.39 lakh MTs. In product terms, production of urea was 15.78 lakh MTs and that of DAP was 3.63 lakh MTs. The overall capacity utilization in February, 2002 was 87.3% for Nitrogen and 69.3% for phosphate. The cumulative production of fertilizers during April, 2001 – February, 2002 is estimated as 100.36 lakh MTs of nitrogen and 35.27 lakh MTs of phosphate.

    During February, 2002, 15.43 lakh MTs urea was dispatched to the States against the target of 15.50 lakh MTs. Cumulative availability of urea during the current Rabi by the end of February, 2002 had been 105.40 lakh MTs including opening stock of 19.85 lakh MTs. This was 95% of the allocation of 110.93 lakh MTs under Essential Commodities Act (ECA) for the season. The availability of urea had been satisfactory in all the States so far during the Rabi 2001-02 season and no State has reported shortage of urea.

    The sales of urea upto 28.02.2002 was 96.89 lakh MTs which had been higher by about 12% as compared with the sales of 86.52 lakh MTs in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Cumulative availability of DAP during the current Rabi by the end of February, 2002 had been 34.05 lakh MTs as compared to the availability of 34.84 lakh MTs during the corresponding period of the previous year. The sales of DAP upto 28.02.2002 was 29 lakh MTs which had been higher by about 5% as compared with the sales of 27.49 lakh MTs in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Cumulative availability of MOP during the current Rabi by the end of February, 2002 had been 15.71 lakh MTs compared to the availability of 13.58 lakh MTs during the corresponding period of previous year. During Rabi 2001 (upto 28.02.2002) total sales, including sales to complex manufacturers had been 13.73 lakh MTs which had been higher by about 21% as compared to the sales of 11.33 lakh MTs during the corresponding period of previous year.

    The availability of DAP and MOP had been satisfactory in February, 2002 in all the States.

    There was no import of urea and DAP during February, 2002. In addition, during the month under review, 1.26 lakh MTs of MOP have been imported. The cumulative arrivals for the current year of Urea, DAP and MOP in the country had been 2.20 lakh MTs, 9.33 lakh MTs and 26.81 lakh MTs, respectively.

    The average daily loading of fertilizers by rail during February, 2002 was 3218 equivalent BG wagons per day.