Urea imports down by 33pc to 10.03 LT in Apr-May period

India's urea imports dipped by 33 per cent to 10.03 lakh tonnes in the April-May period of current fiscal compared to the same period last year.
The country, which is among the world's top three consumers of urea, had imported 14.90 lakh tonnes of urea in the April-May period in 2014-15, according to official data.
Urea is imported by three state trading enterprises (STEs) - Indian Potash Ltd, MMTC and STC on behalf of the government to meet domestic shortfall.
The government also imports the fertiliser through OMIFCO, which is a joint venture project of IFFCO and Kribhco, with an offtake agreement.

The country's urea imports had increased 23 per cent to 87.49 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 from 70.88 LT in 2013-14.
Country's annual demand of urea is about 300 lakh tonnes. While domestic production is stagnant at 220 lakh tonnes, the rest is met through imports.