Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

Fertilizer prices have significantly decreased in the Pakistani market compared to the international market over the last year.

In a documented reply, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research told the Senate that Urea and DAP are the main fertilizers in Pakistan, occupying a cumulative 85 percent share in the total fertilizer use.

According to the document available with Wealth Pakistan, a downward trend in the prices of both fertilizers in the domestic market has been observed from July 2024 onwards. The price of a 50 kg bag of urea came down to Rs 4,365 in July 2025 compared to Rs 4,705 in July 2024, showing a decrease of 7.2 percent. In contrast, there was a 32.6 percent increase in urea prices in the international market during the same timeframe, the document revealed. Similarly, there has been only a 17.1 percent increase in DAP prices in the domestic market for the period between July 2024 and July 2025 compared to a hefty 34.7 percent increase in the international market during the same period.

As per the monthly urea price trend in domestic and international markets during 2024-25, prices stood at Rs 4,705 per 50 kg in the domestic market and USD 348.5 per tonne in the international market in July 2024. In August 2024, the price was Rs 4,672 and USD 344; in September Rs 4,571 and USD 344.9; in October Rs 4,517 and USD 377.6; in November Rs 4,510 and USD 355.3; in December Rs 4,475 and USD 349.2; in January 2025 Rs 4,447 and USD 392; in February Rs 4,446 and USD 435; in March Rs 4,453 and USD 392.5; in April Rs 4,435 and USD 390.5; in May Rs 4,420 and USD 379.6; in June Rs 4,400 and USD 399.3, while in July 2025 the prices stood at Rs 4,365 per 50 kg bag in the domestic market and USD 462 per tonne in the international market.

Similarly, the DAP monthly price breakup shows that in July 2024, the domestic price for a 50 kg bag was Rs 11,352 while in the international market it was USD 591.9 per tonne; in August Rs 11,798 and USD 597.5; in September Rs 11,820 and USD 605.6; in October Rs 11,940 and USD 612.8; in November Rs 12,033 and USD 609.4; in December Rs 11,936 and USD 598.3; in January 2025 Rs 12,022 and USD 607.1; in February Rs 12,046 and USD 623.8; in March Rs 12,134 and USD 639.5; in April Rs 12,363 and USD 660; in May Rs 12,606 and USD 703; in June Rs 12,768 and USD 748.4, while in July 2025 it was Rs 13,031 and USD 787.8.

A senior official at the ministry told Wealth Pakistan that it is incorrect to say that prices of agricultural inputs like fertilizers are increasing in Pakistan despite a decline in global prices. He said the government has taken appropriate measures in coordination with provinces to support farmers. He added that fertilizer review committee meetings are regularly convened to proactively tackle any potential shortages. In addition, buffer stocks are being maintained to stabilize market prices. He said uninterrupted gas supply is being ensured to all urea manufacturing plants to sustain maximum production.

Credit: INP-WealthPk