Compelled to cut prices: Entering Kharif season with more than a million ton inventory and limited storage capacities, fertilizer manufacturers were compelled to cut urea price by PKR 145/bag. Huge inventory pile up amid cheaper imported urea, remained the main impetus behind the price reduction. According to industry sources, the reduced price of PKR 1,650/bag is applicable for 30-days period, however we do not see any reversal of the decision as imported urea is still at a discount of PKR 50/bag. Meanwhile in an election year, imported urea price is likely to remain subsidized. Engro is a major loser in recent move, as cushion against gas curtailment faded (previous price hikes were on account of gas curtailment on SNGPL network).
April presenting the same story: April-12 turned out to be another depressing month for the fertilizer companies, as according to our channel checks urea offtake for April went down by ~70% Y/Y for local players. Dealers remained interested in buying cheaper imported urea, as contribution of imported urea in total urea sales lifted from 14% in 1qCy11 to 53% in 1qCy12. Moreover, fertilizer manufacturers are now even short of storage capacity, which compelled them to enter a price war. As government is mulling to import ~600k tons of urea for Kharif season, we expect domestic players to witness a huge blow in their offtakes going forward.
Gas crisis posing highest threat ever: Approaching elections have diverted government’s priorities of gas allocation towards power and domestic consumers relative to the fertilizer sector. Engro’s new plant remained operational only for ~35days since Jan-12 and is still struggling with the gas issue. In order to avoid agitation from masses, power sector is likely to get priority over fertilizer sector during Cy12. According to our channel checks, government is considering shutting SNGPL based plants till Sep-12 and fulfill the lost production with imported urea. Engro’s position is highly exposed to any such move, as price increase is no more an option under prevalent scenario. Moreover, Engro’s debt repayment capacity also poses a threat to sustainability of the company.
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