Four State-Owned Urea Fertilizer Factories Shut for 15 Days Due to Gas Crisis

Due to the gas supply crisis in the country, production has been temporarily suspended at four state-owned urea fertilizer factories. Among the five urea factories under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), currently only one factory remains operational.

According to BCIC sources, production has been halted for the next 15 days at Polash Fertilizer Company in Ghorashal, Urea Fertilizer Company in Chattogram, Jamuna Fertilizer Company, and Ashuganj Fertilizer and Chemical Company. At present, only Shahjalal Fertilizer Company Limited continues its production activities.

BCIC Director (Production and Research) Moniruzzaman said on Friday that the decision to suspend production at these factories has been taken for 15 days due to the gas crisis. After the specified period, the situation will be reviewed and further decisions will be taken accordingly.

He said that to operate the five urea factories under BCIC at full capacity, approximately 197 million cubic feet of natural gas is required every day. The currently operational Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory has a daily production capacity of around 1,300 metric tons of urea fertilizer.

Meanwhile, the impact of the gas crisis has also affected the private sector. Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO), located in Chattogram, has also suspended production due to a shortage of gas. As a result, out of the country’s six urea fertilizer factories in both public and private sectors, production is currently suspended at five of them.

In this situation, concerns have emerged regarding fertilizer supply for the agricultural sector. However, concerned officials say efforts will be made to maintain the necessary supply through stock and imports.

On the other hand, due to uncertainty in energy supply caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war situation surrounding Iran, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued directives to exercise caution in energy consumption.

According to a directive issued on Thursday, emphasis has been placed on reducing the use of natural gas, avoiding unnecessary use of gas-powered equipment, and quickly repairing pipeline leakages. At the same time, people have been urged to use public transport instead of private vehicles to save fuel and to reduce unnecessary travel.