Sales of urea produced by YPFB reach 40,515 tons

The following is a machine translation of a YPFB release

Santa Cruz, Sep 3, 2024 (AN-YPFB).- Between January and July of this year, Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos recorded sales of approximately 40,515 metric tons (MT) of granulated urea that was destined for the domestic market, through contracts and direct sales.

“YPFB has already sold around 40,515 tons of urea, showing an increase compared to the same period in 2023, when 39,283 tons were sold,” said Gabriela Delgadillo Salazar, manager of Derived and Industrialized Products at YPFB.

SANTA CRUZ, THE LARGEST CONSUMER

The Santa Cruz department, known as the agricultural heart of Bolivia, absorbs 63% of this vital fertilizer. The crops with the highest production in this region are: soybeans, sorghum, corn, sugar cane, sunflowers, wheat and others that need applications of urea fertilizer to improve their yields.

The remaining 34% of the fertilizer produced in the YPFB petrochemical complex was distributed in Cochabamba, La Paz and Tarija and the remaining 3% in the other departments.

Urea is not only beneficial to large producers in Santa Cruz. In the west, it is widely used in the production of potatoes, wheat and vegetables, while in Tarija it is essential for the cultivation of grapes.

SALES TO CUSTOMERS

With a solid stock available and firm contracts with key entities, the state oil company is positioned as a fundamental pillar in the supply of urea. During the cited period, sales were recorded to various clients, including producers and wholesale distributors, as well as to public entities such as the Ministry of Defense, the Strategic Company for the Production of Fertilizers and Fertilizers, Granorte SA, Unión Centro Veterinario SRL, the Agricultural and Livestock Trade Association Unión de Cañeros Guabirá, among others.

“With the urea plant operating at full capacity, Bolivia has almost eliminated the need to import this input, covering 99.99% of the local market with national production. This not only reduces costs for farmers, but also strengthens the local economy by keeping prices affordable,” said the authority.

For the second half of 2024, YPFB anticipates an increase in urea sales, especially with the upcoming sugarcane fertilization campaign in the summer. “We are prepared to meet the growing demand, and we expect to exceed 70,000 tons sold this year,” estimated Delgadillo Salazar.