According to Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) here Saturday, MV "AQUILLA VOYAGER" carrying 31,000 MT and MV "AIFANOROUS" carrying 41,000 MT urea are scheduled to reach Karachi shores on 1st and 2nd March, 2011 respectively.

A TCP official said that these shipments are in response to TCP's tender awarded to M/s. Gavilon Fertilizer LLC of USA on 07-02-2011 for the import of 100,000 MT urea on the instruction of ECC.

In addition, 20,000 MT of urea imported through M/s. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) would also be reaching soon, he added.

It may be noted that prices of urea have increased due to rising demand for the fertilizer for Rabi season. The prices are rising due to drop in urea production after the cut is gas supply to fertilizer producers in the country.

TCP official said the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock has entered into an agreement to purchase 135,000 MT of urea from Saudi government under a credit grant of $ 100 million from Saudi Fund for Development.

As per past practice, the onward transportation and distribution of urea to farmers, is to be handled by M/s. National Fertilizer Marketing Limited (NFML), he added.