Minister warns of urea smuggling risk amid wide price gap
A high-level fertiliser review meeting chaired by Rana Tanveer Hussain was told the urea situation remained stable during Rabi, with closing stocks estimated at 800,000 tonnes. The minister also warned of smuggling risks due to a wide gap between local and international prices.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired a high-level meeting of the Fertiliser Review Committee to assess the supply and demand position of urea and other major fertilisers, with particular attention to the ongoing Rabi season, projections for Kharif 2026 and preparations for Rabi 2026-27, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Food Security & Research on Thursday.
The meeting was told that the urea situation during the Rabi season remained broadly stable. Officials said the opening inventory was about 1.15 million tonnes, while domestic production stood at nearly 3.23 million tonnes, taking total availability to 4.38 million tonnes.
Offtake was reported at 3.56 million tonnes and, according to the statement, there were no indications of panic buying during the season. The closing stock was estimated at around 800,000 tonnes, which is expected to become the opening inventory for the coming Kharif season.
During the meeting, participants expressed serious concern over the possibility of urea being smuggled across the western border because of a sharp difference between domestic and international prices. The statement said local prices were around Rs4,500 per 50kg bag, compared with about Rs14,000 in international markets.
The minister stressed the need for strict vigilance and monitoring to stop illegal movement and protect domestic supplies.
Kharif 2026 outlook reviewed
The committee also examined the broader fertiliser supply-demand outlook for Kharif 2026. Rana Tanveer directed all stakeholders to take proactive measures to improve production efficiency and ensure sufficient availability of fertiliser.
He particularly emphasised the importance of uninterrupted gas supply to fertiliser plants so that production levels could be maintained.
On DAP fertiliser, the meeting was informed that no imports have been planned for Kharif 2026. According to the statement, this decision was linked to global uncertainty and logistical difficulties.
The minister also told participants that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had been approached on the matter and had agreed to help facilitate vessel availability through the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.
The review meeting focused on ensuring that fertiliser supplies remain adequate for upcoming crop seasons while addressing risks that could disrupt local availability, especially in the case of urea.
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