Bolivia's Ammonia and Urea Plant generates up to $ 22 million per month from the sale of the fertilizer

This YPFB release was published using machine translation.

La Paz, October 23, 2021 (AN-YPFB). - The Ammonia and Urea Plant (PAU) is consolidated as an important pillar in the economic reactivation of the country with income of up to US $ 22 million per month from the sale of urea and the generation of direct and indirect jobs. Industrialization is underway.

“We are producing 1,500 tons per day of urea with the plant at 70% of its capacity; therefore, each month about US $ 22 million of revenue generation is projected for the country, "said Henry Lapaca, Industrialization Manager of the state oil company.

Of this production, 7% goes to the domestic market and the remaining percentage will go to the foreign market. “Yacimientos Petrolifos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) set the price of urea at US $ 554 per ton for the domestic market and incorporated an 8% discount during the months of September and October 2021, so that the fertilizer can be purchased at US $ 510 during that period ”, stated Gabriela Delgadillo, Manager of Derivative and Industrialized Products of YPFB.

Before the petrochemical complex started operating again, the international price of urea and its importation was US $ 800 per ton, which increased costs for the agricultural sector. "One of the tangible benefits of urea production in Bolivia is felt in the pockets of agricultural producers, whom it favors with lower prices," Lapaca added.

The petrochemical industrial complex, located in Cochabamba, resumed activities after a year and nine months of shutdown due to damage to cutting-edge equipment by unskilled personnel, during the unconstitutional government of Jeanine Áñez.

“Bolivia wins with the generation of jobs since almost 500 people work at the plant. Of that number, 240 people were rehired after being laid off during the last administration. In addition, 90% of the workforce and national professionals are employed. The reactivation of the PAU consolidates direct sources of work, generates economic movement and also indirect employment ”.

In addition, Lapaca reiterated the importance of the industrialization process that is taking place in Bolivia and the PAU is the flag of this. “That is why the experience of technologists who worked in international companies with similar characteristics is required, who provide security for the normal development of operations and production. In addition, the state oil company is specializing Bolivian professionals so that, in the near future, they will occupy 100% of the jobs ".