Record fertiliser price rise in 12 years

Around 70 per cent of the country's fertiliser import is done through Noapara.

Prices of DAP, TSP and MOP have increased by around Tk 50 to 60 per 50 kg bag in one week, the highest in 12 years, dealers and importers said.

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But the authorities concerned have not yet taken any step to check the price hike.

DAP (Cargil) is being sold at Tk 745 per bag against Tk 700 a week ago and Tk 565 in 2002-03.

DAP (Tunesia) sells at Tk 730 per bag, which was sold at Tk 680 a week ago and at Tk 550 in 2002-03.

TSP (Cargil) is being sold at Tk 740 per bag against Tk 675 a week ago and Tk 500 in 2002-03.

TSP (Tunesia) is sold at Tk 640 against Tk 580 a week ago and Tk 530 in 2002-03.

The price of TSP (China) is Tk 610 now. It was sold at Tk 575 a week ago and at Tk 450 in 2002-03.

The price of MOP has risen to Tk 495 per bag from Tk 420 three days ago. It was sold at Tk 265 in 2000-02.

Taking the advantage, locally produced NPKS (a mixture of Gypsum, Dolomite powder, TSP and urea) has flooded the market. But this fertiliser is virtually of no use for crops, farmers and agriculture experts said. They said the abnormal price hike will affect IRRI-Boro and vegetable cultivation this year.

Many purchasers were seen returning without fertiliser in the last couple of days.

Sources claimed that a section of dishonest importers enhanced the price in collusion with officials. There is no shortage of fertiliser and the prices have also not increased so abnormally in the international market, they claimed.

When contacted, importer Anisur Rahman, proprietor of M/S Joint Trading Corporation Ltd, claimed that prices of all varieties of fertiliser increased by 37 to 41 per cent this year.

He said the government should give subsidy on fertiliser import to keep the prices stable.