AGRICULTURE MINISTER GUARANTEES NO INCREASE IN FERTILIZER PRICES

Jakarta, March 6 (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Anto Apriantono reaffirmed the government had ensured that the prices of fertilizers would not be changed this year.

"At least until the end of 2009, we guarantee there will be no more increases in the price of fertilizers," Minister Anton said after a meeting at the vice presidential office here on Thursday.
Chaired by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, the special meeting on preparations for the planting season was attended by Minister Anton, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Trade Minister Marie Pangestu, Head of the National Logistic Agency Mustafa Abubakar and the president directors of fertilizer producing companies in Indonesia.
According to Anton, there was no problem with the supply of fertilizers during the planting season in 2009, as fertilizer supplies are still adequate. But the problem is the inequal distribution of fertilizers.
"In one year's planning on urea fertilizer, it has been predicted that there would be a lack of supplies, which could be overcome only by importing 500,000 tons of fertilizers," Anton said.
Furthermore, Anton said the fertilizer imports would be possible if the national stock is less than 500,000 tons.