Ammonia Shortage Halts Anwara DAP Plant Output

Production at the country’s only state-owned diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser plant in Anwara, Chattogram, has been suspended due to a shortage of ammonia, a key raw material.

Officials said operations were halted around 8:00pm on Saturday after supplies ran out, making it impossible to continue production.

Alamgir Jalil, manager and head of administration at DAP Fertilizer Company Limited (DAPFCL), confirmed the shutdown, noting that the plant relies entirely on ammonia supplied by Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO).

“Both factories are currently closed. Until they resume production and restart ammonia supply, DAPFCL cannot operate,” he said.

The two fertiliser plants in Anwara have remained shut since 4 March due to a gas shortage, disrupting the supply chain for downstream production.

Established under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), the DAP plant plays a key role in promoting balanced fertiliser use and meeting rising demand for compound fertilisers containing nitrogen and phosphorus.

Located in Rangadia, the factory operates two units with a combined daily capacity of 800 tonnes. In practice, it produces around 600 to 700 tonnes per day when fully operational, contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural sector.