The Hindu Business Line : Indian Potash to import MAP at $478 per tonne

IPL is the nodal agency which has been entrusted to import phosphatic fertilisers on Government account as nobody was willing to contract imports because of the high costs.

“MAP is an alternative fertiliser which can be used in case of the non-availability of DAP as both are perfectly interchangeable. And since we are expecting a shortfall of DAP for the coming rabi season we would be importing MAP at $478 per tonne cost and freight,” a senior IPL official told Business Line.

It is, however, not still clear as to how much of MAP would be imported for the ensuing sowing season.

“It is too early to comment on what the import shortfall will be with regard to DAP. So it is too early to comment on the quantity of MAP which would be imported,” an official in the Department of Fertilisers said.

DAP is a vital nutrient for root establishment of crops and hence has to be applied at the time of sowing. While DAP contains 18 per cent nitrogen and 46 per cent phosphorous, MAP has 11 per cent nitrogen and 52 per cent phosphorous.

“The import of MAP is also being done to diversify into the use of other fertilisers and not totally depend on DAP during the rabi season. Another reason is the strong stake of the US manufacturers in global DAP trade and the limitations this poses on the growth of alternative phosphatic fertilisers,” the official said.

The five major States that require DAP during the rabi season are Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Fertiliser use

The import price of MAP is $17 lower than the import price for DAP contracted in August.CCEA allowed inclusion of imported MAP under the concessional scheme for de-controlled potassium and nitrate fertilisers prospectively.According to official estimates Punjab requires 3.5 lakh tonnes of DAP to be met from imports, Haryana around 3 lakh tonnes, Uttar Pradesh 4.5 lakh tonnes, Madhya Pradesh 2.25 lakh tonnes and Rajasthan 1.5 lakh tonnes.Apart from the imports, the Government has also extended a few concessions to importers of MAP to reduce the country's dependence on imports of DAP. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Monday has allowed inclusion of imported MAP under the concessional scheme for de-controlled potassium and nitrate (P&K) fertilisers prospectively. The maximum retail price of imported MAP has been prospectively fixed at Rs 9,350 per tonne which is at par with DAP