Import of raw materials for fertilisers is likely to be “adversely” affected by the uncertain political scenario in Egypt after the long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced to flee the country, the Government informed Parliament today.

“Due to the current situation in Egypt, it is apprehended that the import of fertiliser inputs may be adversely affected for some time,” the Minister of State for Fertilisers, Mr Srikant Kumar Jena, said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, which passes through Egypt, is one of the major transit routes for shipment of raw materials used by the Indian fertiliser industry, he said.

India imports nine lakh tonnes of fertilisers, including urea, sulphur and ammonia, from Egypt annually. The Minister noted that the domestic fertiliser industry will source these inputs from other alternative sources to minimise the impact of the Egypt situation on domestic output.

The Government has allowed the manufacturers of single super phosphate and phosphatic fertilisers to import raw materials under the open general list.

In a separate reply, the Minister said the minimum retail price of indigenously produced fertilisers increased marginally during the 2010-11 rabi season starting October due to rising global prices of fertilisers and their inputs.

Replying to a query on the revival of closed PSUs Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation Ltd and Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd, he said the Empowered Committee of Secretaries has finalised the recommendations and “based on it, a draft Cabinet note has been circulated for inter-ministerial comments”.

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