Urea Gold to be offered in 40 kg bag, value to stay identical at ₹266.50 per bag

Ending apprehension of a subsidy reduce after six months of saying a brand new sulphur coated urea “Urea Gold”, the federal government determined to repair its value by lowering the load of the bag whereas maintaining the identical value as typical urea of ₹266.5 per bag. Nonetheless, the web weight per bag Urea Gold has been fastened at 40 kg towards 45 kg in case of typical urea, successfully making the brand new product about ₹30 costlier.

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Had the federal government allowed the identical 45 kg packing, the worth may have been greater for urea gold because of the saving of 5 kg per bag, stated an official supply. Furthermore, since farmers are used to per bag utility of fertiliser of their area, a saving of 5 kg could assist reduce general urea gross sales, the supply stated. The Cupboard Committee on Financial Affairs (CCEA) on June 28, 2023 permitted the proposal for launching of the Sulphur Coated Urea to deal with sulphur deficiencies within the soil. In a letter to the administration of all fertilizer manufacturing corporations, the fertiliser ministry on January 5 conveyed the federal government’s choice of the utmost retail value (MRP) fastened for Urea Gold. Approval has been given for introduction of Sulphur Coated Urea in 40 kg bag on the identical MRP as that of 45 kg bag of Neem Coated Urea at ₹266.50 (inclusive of GST), stated the letter. A proper notification will comply with quickly, the letter stated. “This communication will assist producers to print their baggage with the MRP in order that when manufacturing begins, the sulphur coated urea are packed within the baggage. This can even assist facilitate advance supply of Urea Gold earlier than the following kharif sowing begins round June,” the supply stated.

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Total consumption of urea (excluding nano-urea) through the April-November interval in 2023 recorded a modest 3.3 per cent rise to 239.69 lakh tonnes (lt) from 232.03 lt a yr in the past. Whereas gross sales of all fertilisers put collectively jumped 6.6 per cent to 427.13 lt from 400.69 lt. As farmers rushed to maintain urea with them within the Rabi sowing season attributable to a scarcity in 2022, gross sales of the nitrogen fertiliser in October 2023 elevated 15 per cent from a yr in the past. However in November gross sales registered 19 per cent drop. As there was no subsidy for nano-urea, it was speculated that Urea Gold may need been stored out of subsidy, too.
Imported sulphur value (CFR) declined 39 per cent to $111/tonne throughout November 2023 from a yr in the past.

• Additionally learn: Urea gross sales up 15% in October as greater imports flip useful