THE Urea Fertilizer Purchasing and Distribution Steering Committee gave recommendations in seeking import licences for over one million tonnes of fertilizer and over 19,500 tonnes of pesticide in the first half of the current financial year 2025-2026, beginning 1 April.
The committee held a work coordination meeting on 29 September at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Co-operatives and Rural Development.
Union Minister U Hla Moe, chair of the committee, emphasized agricultural input distribution activities with the post-harvest repayment system and future activities, setting reference prices and hosting a meeting to strengthen the agricultural input channel in an opening remark. The committee recommended that companies seek import licences for over one million tonnes of fertilizer and over 19,000 tonnes of pesticide during the April-September period.
The Ministry of Commerce has issued import licences for over 986,160 tonnes of fertilizer and 26,587 tonnes of pesticide as of the end of August. About 361,240 tonnes of fertilizer and over 10,150 tonnes of pesticide have been brought into the country.
According to a report of Myanmar Fertilizer, Seed and Pesticide Entrepreneurs Association (MFSPEA) on 20 September 2025, import licences for over 811,800 tonnes of fertilizer were granted, and the actual import volume was over 574,704.28 tonnes. Over 471,800 tonnes were distributed, while the in-stocks were 253,431.86 tonnes. Out of the import licences for 14,559.35 tonnes of pesticide, 16,938.16 tonnes were actually imported. The distribution reaches 12,206.5 tonnes while 10,622.54 tonnes are stored, Union Minister U Hla Moe added.
Furthermore, the committee distributed 27,404.5 tonnes of Urea fertilizer and 16,260.75 tonnes of compound fertilizer in August to growers who are excluded from the distribution project implemented under the State Economic Promotion Fund, with a post-harvest repayment system to meet the yield target, in line with the guidance of the head of the State.
Those companies which sell the inputs receive import licences in turn and foreign currencies. The Union Minister coordinated related institutions to facilitate distribution channels.
He asked for demand from Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, Mandalay and Yangon in September, and 39,648.55 tonnes were in demand as per the report of the regional departments. He called for companies to distribute fertilizer at the earliest to meet the demand of the regions. He stated that the fertilizer reference price for October would be set depending on the international market. He stressed that the ministry will prioritize those who actually import the inputs in issuing licenses so that the inputs will be imported before the winter crop season.
He instructed departments concerned to check the quality of fertilizer and compliance of the distributors not to have price manipulation and overcharging problems, as the prices are decided depending on transport charges in other regions and states, on the basis of the reference prices for Yangon Region.
Permanent Secretary U Khant Zaw, secretary of the committee, explained distribution matters in August, and the Myanmar Fertilizer, Seed and Pesticide Entrepreneurs Association’s representative also presented imports and distribution of inputs.
The Union minister also coordinated matters that the attendees discussed and suggested. — NN/KK
