Ahead of the start of the kharif season in June, state-owned trading firm MMTC has invited bids for the import of an unspecified volume of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).

The bids will close on May 30 and a decision on awarding the tender will be taken on the same day, MMTC said on its Web site.

The company has asked bidders to quote the quantity of DAP they intend to supply. It has asked for supply of two grades of DAP: 18-46 and 16-44, it said.

The shipment period for the consignment is May-September, 2011, and the contracted supplies would have to delivered at the Kandla, Rozy, Kakinada, Vizag, Tuticorin, New Mangalore and Krishnapatnam ports, it added.

According to official estimates, fertiliser demand is estimated to be 4 per cent higher at 28.8 million tonnes in the ensuing kharif (summer) season, as against 27.7 mt in the year-ago period.

The kharif season starts with the onset of the South-West monsoon from June. Crops such as paddy, pulses and oilseeds are largely grown during this season.

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