Finance Adviser denies ‘special advantage’ in fertiliser imports

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday dismissed allegations that a particular company got special advantage in fertiliser imports and said the matter falls under the purview of the ministries concerned.

“It is not correct to say that the Finance Ministry gave such approval. Fertiliser imports are mostly managed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) under the Agriculture Ministry along with the Industries Ministry. It is their responsibility,” he told reporters after chairing meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs.

He said these responding to reporters query whether the government bypassed lower bidders in awarding fertiliser import contracts, leading to higher procurement costs.

Asked whether any inquiry was underway, he said, “I don’t know the details. If there are specific allegations those ministries concerned will look into it.”

He said if the lowest bidder was not selected it should be examined and such issues must be investigated.

The Agriculture Ministry on September 13 rejected recent media reports alleging irregularities in fertiliser procurement terming them ‘baseless, imaginary, motivated and untrue’.

According to the ministry, in line with government policy, non-urea fertilisers are imported both by private importers and under state-level contracts or G-to-G agreements.

After assuming office, the interim government decided to issue purchase orders only to companies offering the lowest prices which, it said, saved foreign currency and prevented abnormal profiteering.

Since no single country can simultaneously meet Bangladesh’s fertiliser demand imports are sourced from multiple countries to ensure uninterrupted supply.

The ministry said cost and freight (CFR) prices vary depending on distance and transportation costs, while international bulletins such as Argus FMB and FERTICON are used to verify rates.

Government data show that in the first phase of the 2025-26 fiscal year, 13 companies were awarded contracts to supply 30,000 tonnes of TSP, 2.55 lakh tonnes of DAP and 90,000 tonnes of MOP fertilisers.

In the second phase, six more companies received orders to supply 90,000 tonnes of TSP and 1.20 lakh tonnes of DAP at the same prices.