The government on Wednesday approved the import of 185,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Russia at a cost of more than Tk 16.36 billion to ensure adequate supplies for the upcoming Aman and Rabi cropping seasons.
The approvals came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP), chaired by Finance Adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
Under three separate proposals, the government will procure 60,000 tonnes of triple super phosphate (TSP) fertiliser from Morocco and 125,000 tonnes of urea from Saudi Arabia and Russia through government-to-government (G2G) agreements.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, Morocco’s OCP Nutricrops will supply the TSP fertiliser in two consignments of 30,000 tonnes each.
The first shipment will cost about Tk 2.54 billion, with the price set at $688 per tonne.
The second shipment, priced at $726.33 per tonne, will cost around Tk 2.69 billion.
The Industry Ministry, meanwhile, received approval to import a total of 125,000 tonnes of urea under existing G2G agreements with Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company and the relevant Russian state supplier.
The two urea consignments will cost the government more than Tk 11.13 billion.
Officials said the imports are aimed at maintaining adequate fertiliser stocks ahead of the Aman and Rabi cultivation seasons to support uninterrupted agricultural production.
They said the government continues to procure fertiliser on time despite volatility in global prices to safeguard food security and ensure farmers have uninterrupted access to essential farm inputs.
Bangladesh relies heavily on fertiliser imports each year to meet domestic demand, as local production is insufficient to cover the country’s requirements. Timely imports help ensure farmers receive adequate supplies during peak planting seasons and minimise the risk of disruptions to crop production.