It is predicted that the national demand for agricultural fertilizers in 2024 will be around 50.46 million tons

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On April 11, the 16th Annual Conference on the Potash and Potash Fertilizer Industry was held in Beijing. Tian Youguo, director of the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, delivered a report titled \"Analysis of the Situation, Tasks in China’s Crop Production Sector and Forecast of Fertilizer Demand\" at the meeting. He stated that, based on a comprehensive analysis of preliminary planting intentions for crops, yield targets, and recommendations regarding scientific fertilization practices, it is predicted that the national demand for agricultural fertilizers in 2024 will be around 50.46 million tons (on a pure basis, the same applies hereafter). By variety, it is estimated that 25.65 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer, 11.74 million tons of phosphorus fertilizer, and 13.07 million tons of potassium fertilizer will be needed ； By farming season, it is estimated that 21.75 million tons of fertilizer will be used during spring plowing, 14.92 million tons during summer field management, and 13.79 million tons for autumn and winter sowing. Regionally, during the spring plowing season, the demand for agricultural fertilizers in 8 provinces (regions) including Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Xinjiang all exceeds 1 million tons. Tian Youguo predicts that the supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers for agricultural use during last winter and this spring will exceed 24.7 million tons, which is sufficient to meet the demand of 21.75 million tons for fertilizers needed for spring plowing; overall, the supply of fertilizers for spring plowing will be ample. Ensuring supply and stabilizing prices to safeguard **food security**, Tian Youguo explained that since 2011, China’s demand for grain has continued to rise, with the proportion of imported grain in total demand increasing from 9% to 21% by 2023. It is evident that food security still faces many challenges. According to relevant studies, the amount of fertilizer applied is related to the yield of various crops, and the combined use of chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers also significantly increases yields. A stable supply of fertilizers is a solid foundation for ensuring food security. Wang Xiangwen, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Qinghai Salt Lake Industry Co., Ltd., said that under the new circumstances of entering a new stage of development, implementing new development concepts, building a new development pattern, and promoting high-quality development, the company closely adheres to the **strategic plans and Qinghai’s industrial development strategy. Taking into account Qinghai’s status as a province with \"three major advantages\" and its \"three more important\" strategic role within the national framework, and with the support of the Potassium Salt Branch, the company remains committed to fulfilling its core responsibilities. It takes it upon itself to ensure a stable supply of potassium fertilizers, pursues a path of green, low-carbon, and circular development, and makes every effort to promote the comprehensive exploitation and recycling of salt lake resources. The company also actively participates in efforts to increase grain production by 100 billion jin and in the initiative aimed at ensuring that Chinese grain is fertilized with Chinese-produced potassium fertilizers. It actively integrates itself into the development of the new energy industry, achieving significant results in areas such as ecological protection, industrial development, technological innovation, reform and innovation, and governance in accordance with the law. In 2023, 4.926 million tons of potash fertilizer were produced, and 5.5396 million tons of such fertilizer (potassium chloride) were sold. Salt lake-derived potash fertilizer accounted for over 35% of the domestic market, and its price remained below market levels, continuing to play a role as a \"stabilizer\". Together with its peers, Yanhu Co., Ltd. has worked to strengthen the foundations of **food security in every aspect, enhancing China’s influence in the international potash market and making significant contributions to ensuring **food security as well as the security of energy and resources. Chen Shengnan, deputy general manager of Sinochem Fertilizer Co., Ltd., said during the meeting, while analyzing the new trends and changes in the domestic and international potash fertilizer industry, that Sinochem Fertilizer has always been committed to ensuring supply and stabilizing prices, fulfilling its responsibilities as a central state-owned enterprise. First, we will increase the supply by expanding the sources of seaborne imports and the coverage area of import departments, broadening procurement channels, and closely monitoring the emergence of new production capacity ； Second, in accordance with the requirements of **relevant departments, we actively implement the tasks related to potassium fertilizer reserves and distribution. Third, focus on developing innovative products, continuously enriching the product portfolio, improving the nutrient utilization efficiency of potassium fertilizers, and facilitating their scientific application. Fourthly, in terms of services, Sinochem Fertilizer actively coordinates ports, warehousing facilities, etc. to improve logistics efficiency, and utilizes the \"FeiYiTong\" platform to enhance its online service capabilities. At the same time, through authoritative media, self-media, the “FeiYiTong” platform, and other channels, policies aimed at ensuring supply and stabilizing prices, along with related measures, are released in a timely manner to stabilize market sentiment and promote the healthy and orderly development of the industry. Wang Chuchu, deputy manager of the Raw Materials Division at Sinograin Group Holding Co., Ltd., delivered a speech titled \"Understanding the World through Potash Fertilizers\" at the meeting. She noted that Sinograin Group has now established a comprehensive import supply network that relies on sea transportation in the east, rail freight transport via Russia in the northeast, the China-Europe freight train service in the west, and the China-Laos railway in the southwest, thereby improving the efficiency of supply to domestic markets and continuing to increase investment in its own operations. “As a key player in crop nutrition, Sinograin Group continues to expand its business scale and improve service efficiency through initiatives such as integration of manufacturing and trading, procurement and sales, as well as integrated services, thereby fulfilling its strategic mission of ensuring supply and stabilizing prices. ”Wang Chuchu said. Zhang Peng, deputy general manager of CNOOC Chemical Marketing Company, said that as a key player among the central state-owned enterprises responsible for ensuring the supply of fertilizers, CNOOC Group has made ensuring fertilizer supply one of the three priority tasks related to people’s well-being identified by the group’s Party leadership team. The group has established a sound mechanism for ensuring fertilizer supply, and set up special working groups and supply assurance teams for this purpose. Zhonghai Chemical has created a new framework that integrates everything from production to the fields across the country, featuring efficient coordination in the areas of production, supply, sales, and research.