South Korea to Consult China Over Urea Export Delays

4/12/2023 13:12

        South Korea on Monday said it will consult China to prevent disruption to urea supplies after Korean companies reported the fertiliser and emissions reducing
        chemical was taking longer to pass through Chinese customs on its way to the peninsula.
        
        The reports follow calls from China's nitrogen fertiliser association last month to prioritise supplies for domestic use after prices hit a two-year high. They also come after Indian industry figures in September flagged delays at Chinese ports.
        
        The issue has raised concern about a repeat of a supply crunch in 2021 when China's government effectively halted exports of urea - a type of nitrogen used as fertiliser in agriculture as well as to curb diesel and industrial emissions.
        
        South Korea imports over 90% of its urea supply from China.
        
        "We have confirmed customs delays, and there was no political background but economic factors, mainly due to tight urea supplies within China," Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy spokesperson Choi Nam-ho told a briefing on Monday.