India imported 14.72 LT urea in Q1 at USD 355 mn: Ahir

India has imported 14.72 lakh tonnes (LT) of urea valued at USD 355.05 million in the first quarter of the current financial year, Parliament was informed today.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said urea is imported through state trading enterprises, namely STC, MMTC and IPL.
"...Urea for direct agricultural use is imported on government account to bridge gap between assessed demand and indigenous production," Ahir said.
As per the data shared, the country has imported 5.15 LT of urea from OMIFCO and 9.57 LT through the state trading enterprises.

During the same period, the domestic production of urea stood at 56.96 LT.
India also imports about 20 LT of urea annually from OMIFCO under a long-term urea offtake agreement between the government and the company.
The Minister also informed that the country has imported 25.50 LT of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), 3.20 LT NPK fertiliser and 6.69 LT Muriate of Potash (MOP) in April-June of the current financial year.
He also added that during the same period, the domestic production of DAP was 7.05 LT and that of NPK 18.42 LT.