West Asia Conflict Sparks Concerns Over Fertilizer Price Hikes in Nepal

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could lead to an increase in the price of chemical fertilizers. During a press conference held on Friday, the ministry stated that while the exact extent of the price hike remains unclear, the current situation suggests potential challenges in the supply of chemical fertilizers.

Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri mentioned during the press conference that the ministry is actively monitoring the situation. Even before the Iran-Israel conflict, there were discussions regarding potential price increases for fertilizers. Now, with the situation becoming increasingly unstable, there are concerns about both price hikes and potential shortages. A few days ago, Iran launched a missile attack on a chemical plant in Israel.

Most of the fertilizer imported into Nepal comes from countries like Vietnam, China, and various West Asian nations. The war has caused supply chain disruptions. Consequently, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have expressed concerns that there could be a shortage of fertilizer during the upcoming planting season.

According to sources from the Ministry of Agriculture, the current international market price for DAP fertilizer ranges from approximately 900 to 980 US dollars per ton, while urea prices range from 750 to 850 dollars.

Under normal circumstances, the price of chemical fertilizer typically ranges from 450 to 600 dollars per ton.