The Turkish government has lifted the ban on domestic sales of 26 percent calcium nitrate fertilizers (CAN) and potassium nitrate. However, the sale and transfer of CAN fertilizers will be subject to controls.
The ban on the use of agricultural 33 percent ammonium nitrate (AN) in the country is to be permanent, a move that has surprised few due to Turkey’s security concerns. Ministry of Agriculture approval will be required for the sale and transfer of non-agricultural use of 33 percent AN, according to a Bloomberg report, citing a ministry decree.
It was known last week that the government had lifted the ban on domestic sales and transfer of CAN, but an official decree was issued only this week. One Turkish producer told Green Markets the company had recommenced deliveries of CAN by truck late on Jan 25.
Turkey’s government imposed a temporary ban on the sale of AN and CAN and other fertilizer nitrates on June 8, following a series of terrorist attacks in the country (GM June 10, 2016). Turkey’s annual market for CAN and AN is not insignificant. The country’s apparent consumption of CAN and AN in 2015 was around 630,000 mt and 1 million mt, respectively, according to IFA data. In addition to sizeable domestic output, Turkey in 2015 imported 171,000 mt of CAN and 363,000 mt of AN, according to IFA figures. Exports of CAN have continued to be allowed since last June’s ban on domestic sales. Turkey exported about 66,000 mt of CAN in 2015, according to IFA data.
According to the producer source, the sale and movement of CAN (like domestic sales of AN previously) now will be subject to a tracking system, and distributors and dealers will not be able to buy or sell CAN unless they are registered. Farmers also will need to be registered to buy CAN fertilizers. In addition, it is understood that farmers will need to secure receipts from the regional Ministry of Agriculture offices, who will verify that their proposed CAN purchases match their requirements. Sources fear that the receipting system may prove to be unworkable. Sources said the receipting process is seen as less of a problem for the country’s agricultural cooperatives, as they can draw on in-house staff.
Turkey’s potassium nitrate requirements are relatively small, and are largely met by imports.