Bangladesh’s state-owned Jamuna Fertilizer Factory in Jamalpur has remained closed since January 15, 2024, after gas shortages were cited as the reason for suspending production. It had not restarted by August 5, 2026. Factory-related officials say production could have continued at about 1,200 metric tons of urea a day even with limited gas supplies if the required pressure had been ensured, while the shutdown has forced imports.

According to sources cited in the report, the plant could have produced about 36,000 metric tons of urea monthly. Imported urea now costs about Tk88,000 per ton, requiring monthly imports worth Tk316.8 crore, compared with an estimated domestic production cost of Tk79.2 crore for the same volume. The report estimates the additional spending over more than two and a half years at about Tk7,365.6 crore.

Factory officials say the plant needs gas pressure of only 42 to 43 PSI and that supplies to some lower-priority industries could have been adjusted. Bangladesh Fertilizer Association representatives said the factory’s fertilizer is popular with farmers and that its closure increases market pressure and import dependence. General Manager Fazlul Haque said regular gas supply could significantly reduce reliance on fertilizer imports.