It is concerning to learn that Bangladesh may face a urea shortfall of around one lakh tonnes for the upcoming Aman season if the government fails to secure fresh import commitments, after two consecutive international tenders reportedly failed to attract adequate supply. The agriculture ministry currently holds 3.54 lakh tonnes of urea. Even with domestic plants resuming production in May (following gas-related closures), total availability by the end of June is projected at around 5.5 lakh tonnes against an estimated requirement of 6.65 lakh tonnes for the Aman season. The resulting gap of roughly one lakh tonnes can have a disruptive impact when farmers begin preparing seedbeds in July.
Bangladesh usually sources a large portion of its imported urea from Gulf producers under government-to-government (G2G) arrangements, rather than through open tender. The recent departure from the usual practice was due to the crisis in the Middle East, but open bidding has also failed to elicit adequate response from suppliers amid concerns over shipping risks and market volatility. As per a report by this daily, the government floated two tenders on March 25 and April 1, seeking a total of four lakh tonnes of urea. Officials say one tender drew no bids, while the other received only a partial offer of 50,000 tonnes. A fresh re-tender was issued on April 27. Even if things move as expected this time, we have to remember that fertiliser procurement is a slow process, often taking up to 180 days from contracting to distribution at the farm level.
The importance of early stocking cannot be overstated. The Aman season, which runs from July to November, is the second-largest rice-growing cycle after the Boro season. It accounts for nearly 40 percent of the country’s annual rice output, and timely availability of fertiliser, particularly urea, is key to sustaining yields. Any disruption in supply can result in lower production, with broader implications for our food security and rice stocks. While the wider impact of the Middle East crisis—both on supply chains and prices—is undeniable, the government must work around prevailing bottlenecks to ensure adequate stocks in time.
Expediting tendering and strengthening G2G negotiations are, of course, immediate priorities under the current circumstances. But it is equally important to address the structural vulnerability in fertiliser sourcing. Since much of the country’s imported urea transits through the Strait of Hormuz, the government should consider diversifying supply sources instead of relying heavily on Gulf nations. Strengthening diplomatic engagement, including maintaining functional ties with key regional actors, is also necessary to help ensure an uninterrupted flow of fertiliser shipments through the Hormuz strait.
