China increases the import of fertilizers

Recently, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, during the spring plowing this year, the supply of fertilizer resources was 34.2 million tons, the demand was 30.5 million tons, and the supply exceeded 3.7 million tons, an increase of 1.4 million tons year-on-year. The supply situation was better than last year. According to monitoring, the retail prices of domestic urea, diammonium phosphate, three-element compound fertilizer, and imported potassium chloride in mid-February were 2,350 yuan, 3,580 yuan, 3,190 yuan, and 3,590 yuan per ton, respectively, compared with those at the beginning of the year, urea and diammonium phosphate. They were up 0.9% and 0.8% respectively. The three-element compound fertilizer was flat, and the imported potassium chloride decreased by 0.3%. Compared with the same period of last year, urea and imported potassium chloride decreased by 0.4% and 2.2% respectively, and diammonium phosphate and three-element compound fertilizer rose by 0.8% and 0.9% respectively. The National Development and Reform Commission predicts that the year-on-year increase in fertilizer prices during the spring plowing this year will be significantly lower than last year.

Recently, the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture announced on the website of “The Policy Measures of the State in Support of Increasing Farmers' Income by Increasing Grain Production in 2013”. After reviewing the details, the reporter found that the 38 policies include direct subsidies for farmers, subsidies for agricultural machinery, agricultural subsidies, and other aspects, highlighting the country's strong support for agriculture. According to informed sources, the amount of state subsidies for agriculture this year will reach 200 billion yuan, including 107.1 billion yuan in comprehensive subsidies involving fertilizers and other agricultural supplies.

It is reported that in January this year, the central government had allocated 107.1 billion yuan in comprehensive subsidy for agricultural resources to provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), demanding payment of “one card” or “one pass” to farmers in the grain-growing industry. In accordance with the dynamic adjustment system, agricultural subsidies will promptly arrange and increase subsidy funds in accordance with the changes in the price of fertilizers, diesel and other agricultural materials, and follow the principle of “restructuring and dynamic adjustment, and increase only the increase in price”, so as to make up for the increase in agriculture for grain farmers. The cost of production materials.

According to reports, the state subsidies for agricultural fertilizers have been routinely for many years. As early as 2006, due to the increase in the prices of fertilizers and other agricultural supplies, farmers' food production was affected to a certain extent. In order to reduce the adverse impacts, the Central Government introduced a comprehensive subsidy policy for agricultural resources.

Last year, the central government earmarked 700 million yuan for special funds for soil testing and formula fertilization, accelerated popularization of soil testing and fertilizer application techniques, expanded the use of formula fertilizers, and promoted scientific fertilization techniques into villages and households. This year will further in-depth implementation of soil testing and formula fertilization, plans to provide 190 million farmers free of charge to provide soil testing and fertilization guidance services, promote soil testing and fertilizer application of 1.4 billion mu, and strive to achieve a demonstration area of ​​average cost per mu over 30 yuan.

The influx of imported fertilizer into the country due to the import of fertilizers, potassium chloride and other fertilizers with high fertilizer efficiency, good effect of increasing production, and a low degree of soil damage, is very popular in the country. According to the reporter's understanding, due to the current peak demand for fertilizers, many ports across the country have opened up green channels for imported fertilizers, and the import of fertilizers has shown a growth trend. According to the Qingdao Dagang Customs data, at present, the Qingdao port quickly tests and releases nearly 50,000 tons of imported chemical fertilizers such as potassium chloride, compound fertilizer, and diammonium phosphate. The value of goods is worth more than 22 million US dollars, and the daily inspection and release rate reaches 100%. According to the notification from Xinsha Customs, from January to February this year, the important chemical fertilizer import port in South China, Xinsha Port, imported 107,000 tons of chemical fertilizers, a substantial increase of 71.9% year-on-year; the value was 56.25 million USD, an increase of 83%.

The Manzhouli port, which is responsible for more than 60% of the Sino-Russian trade's land transportation, has seen a significant increase in fertilizer imports this year. Domestic crops are in great demand for potash fertilizer, but domestic potash fertilizer production capacity is insufficient and can only rely on imports to make up for market gaps. Russia's **potassium is a high-end resource for imported potash, which has become the main driving force for the growth of fertilizer imports at the Manzhouli port. According to the reporter's understanding, among the fertilizers imported into the Guanzhou district in 2012, potassium chloride accounted for 90% of the total imports. Today, the Manzhouli port has become China's largest distribution center for Russian potash fertilizer imports.