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Pakistan’s SOP capacity expansion to weigh on imports

Pakistan’s SOP capacity expansion to weigh on imports

Singapore, 12 January (Argus) — Pakistan's SOP imports are likely to decline further in 2026 as domestic producers continue to expand capacity this year, driving higher demand for MOP imports to the country. Domestic producer Barket Fertilizers added 15,500 t/yr of capacity in 2025, taking its total capacity to 50,000 t/yr by November. Fellow producer Suncrop Group began commercial production at its 40,000t/yr plant in Punjab in October 2025. These additions have raised Pakistan's total SOP capacity to 110,000 t/yr as of early 2026. Agven, Barket, and United Agro plan to add at least around 60,000 t/yr of capacity by end of 2027. The increase in Pakistan's SOP capacity has dampened imports in 2025, with total arrivals down by 24pc on the year to 54,100t, latest Global Trade Tracker (GTT) data show. Taiwan remained Pakistan's largest SOP supplier in 2025, but imports fell by 24pc on the year to 22,300t, while imports from mainland China also fell by 17pc on the year to 9,200t. By contrast, supplies from Egypt and Saudi Arabia made headway in Pakistan, with deliveries from these countries growing to 5,200t and 4,800t, up from 1,400t and 3,500t in 2024, respectively. Rising SOP capacity has boosted Pakistan's demand for MOP, with 2025 imports up by 18pc on the year to 89,800t. Pakistan's SOP production adopts the Mannheim method, which uses MOP and sulphuric acid as feedstocks. Canada overtook Jordan as Pakistan's top MOP supplier in 2025, with deliveries rising to 33,800t from 1,300t in 2024. Imports from Vietnam — likely representing Laotian supply — also rose sharply to 23,700t from 8,800t a year earlier. Continued growth in Mannheim SOP capacity is expected to drive the country's demand for MOP imports this year. Pakistan's domestic SOP demand is estimated at 70,000-100,000 t/yr, according to local producers. SOP is used on chlorine-sensitive crops like potatoes, cotton, and tobacco, which are widely grown in Pakistan. Producers expect domestic consumption to gradually increase in the coming years, reducing reliance on imports and potentially paving the way for exports. Only one producer, Agven, has plans to export SOP from Pakistan, but none have materialised so far as the company focuses on the domestic market. Agven's plant is located at Gwadar port, which has poor container vessel traffic — the main mode for SOP exports. Any containerized shipments would need to be trucked to Karachi, adding significant freight costs and making exports unattractive. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.