Sri Lanka Secures Fertiliser Stocks Amid Middle East Supply Disruptions 📈

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and private sector CEOs to implement a joint program ensuring an uninterrupted fertiliser supply for the upcoming 2026 Yala season. • Overall Requirements: Approximately 550,000 hectares are slated for paddy cultivation. Total urea demand is estimated at 125,000 MT (83,000 MT for paddy; 42,000 MT for other crops). • Current Stock Position: As of March 17, available urea stocks stood at 68,000 MT. A significant surge in demand was noted this month, with 27,000 MT sold compared to just 11,000 MT in March 2025, driven largely by farmer concerns over potential shortages. • Supply Pipeline: Orders for an additional 77,000 MT of urea have been placed. While 37,000 MT from the Middle East faces uncertainty due to regional conflict, 21,000 MT is confirmed to arrive by early April. • Strategic Interventions: • The President ordered the prioritisation of short-term crops, specifically paddy and vegetables. • Instructions were issued to expedite overdue payments to private importers to ease liquidity. • Long-term plans include improving storage facilities near Colombo for buffer stocks and enhancing credit facilities for imports. _Data based on Presidential Secretariat and Ministry of Agriculture briefings (March 2026)._