The target for subsidized urea fertilizer sales to farmers in the nine provinces was set at 878,200 tons.Palembang (ANTARA News) - Sales of subsidized urea fertilizer by PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja (PUSRI) to nine provinces totaled only 83 percent of the target in the first seven months of the year.
The state fertilizer producer is responsible for supplying subsidized urea fertilizer to nine provinces including South Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, Banten, Jakarta, Central Java and Yogyakarta.
The target for subsidized urea fertilizer sales to farmers in the nine provinces was set at 878,200 tons, but realization totaled only 727,025 tons during the period, the company`s chief spokesman Masriza Ali said.
Lower rate of rainfalls and the on going fasting months are the main factors for the lower than expected demand for the fertilizer, Masriza said here ion Wednesday.
Based on the past trend, demand for subsidized fertilizer would rise toward the end of the first phase of planting season in September, he said.
Demand for urea fertilizers in the nine provinces would peak at the start of second phase of planting season in November and December, he added.
Normally, distribution of the subsidized fertilizer averages 80,000 - 85,000 tons per month in the nine provinces, but in November and December sales could exceed 90,000 tons a month, he said.
In facing expected increase in demand for urea fertilizer in the coming months the company has been ready with stocks of around 167,190 tons in the warehouses in farm production centers.
The stock would is expected to increase as there is no problem in the process of production from four factories of PT Pusri in Palembang, he said.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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