Govt set to hike nutrient-based subsidy rates on fertilisers

11 Apr 2011 Evaluate

The Centre is set to announce a further hike in the benchmark import prices of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) used to determine the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) rates on various fertilizers. Department of Fertilisers may approve higher import parity prices of $612 a tone for DAP and $420 a tone for MOP, as against the existing levels of $580 and $390.

These upward revisions would translate into increased NBS rates for phosphorus (P) and potash (K). Currently, the NBS rate on P, linked to a $580-a-tonne reference price for imported DAP, is Rs 29.407 a kg. On the proposed $612-benchmark price, it will go up to around Rs 31 a kg. Likewise, the NBS rate on K will rise from Rs 24.628 to Rs 26.5 a kg with the assumed landed price being raised to $420 a tone.

The NBS regime now covers 22 non-urea fertilizers, with the subsidy payable on each linked to their nutrient content. Thus, DAP, containing 18 per cent nitrogen (where the NBS rate is Rs 27.481 a kg) and 46 per cent P, attracts a subsidy of Rs 18,474 a tone. Inclusive of an average retail price of Rs 10,750, the realisation for the manufacturer/importer comes to Rs 29,224 a tone.

The Centre had, only on March 9, notified the per-kg NBS rates for 2011-12 at Rs 27.481 on N, Rs 29.407 on P, Rs 24.628 on K and Rs 1.692 on S, benchmarked to the corresponding landed prices of $350, $580, $390 and $180 a tone for urea, DAP, MOP and sulphur.

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