KARACHI: The Fertilizer Importers Council has asked the federal government for the priority berthing of imported DAP fertilizer vessels to ensure the availability of essential commodity during wheat crop sowing.

Industry sources said that most of the imported DAP consignments are scheduled to reach Pakistan in next two months just before the application of DAP fertilizer on the wheat crop in Pakistan. Therefore, importers are seeking government's support for timely berthing of the imported DAP vessels to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fertilizer to farmers during wheat season.

According to a letter sent by Fertilizer Importers Council (FIC) to Omar Hamid Khan Federal Secretary Ministry of Food Security, the main import season for DAP fertilizer coincides with its application on the wheat crop in the country and DAP fertilizer is applied on wheat at the time of its sowing during the month of November. Accordingly, DAP import arrivals are scheduled in October and November, just before the application of DAP fertilizer on the wheat crop in Pakistan.

Historical data confirms that timely application of DAP fertilizer has resulted in higher wheat crop yield per acre and overall higher production of wheat in the country. Therefore, the timely import of DAP fertilizer, its quick discharge at the port and transport to the upcountry demand centers is very important for ensuring higher wheat production in the country.

As per estimates around 300,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer will arrive on around 8 seagoing vessels at the Karachi port between October and November. "In order to ensure the quick availability of imported DAP fertilizer for wheat crop sowing, priority berthing may be given to DAP fertilizer vessels at the Karachi port," fertilizer importers body demanded.

FIC mentioned that currently, priority berthing is being provided to vessels which are carrying imported wheat and it is feared that the wheat production may suffer in the country if DAP vessels are not provided priority berthing at the port, thereby, creating a need for the import of wheat next year also.

FIC has requested Ministry of Food Security for urgent arrangements of berthing of imported DAP on ports as the timely application of DAP fertilizer on the wheat crop is crucial for higher wheat production in the country.

National food security is dependent on the import of fertilizers such as DAP, MOP and SOP. Pakistan's farmers needed some 2,200,000 tons DAP annually to ensure the higher crop productivity. The sole local manufacturer of DAP fertilizer in Pakistan is Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL) with annual production of around 800,000 tons. While, out of the total requirement more than 1,400,000 tons DAP fertilizer is being imported annually and sold under various brand names.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020