Pakistan’s Barket Fertilizer has boosted its production of sulfate of potash (SOP) to 50,000 tons per year (tpy) with the commissioning of a fourth production unit at its Port Muhammad Bin Qasim plant. The new unit, which started up on 15 September 2025, adds 15,500 tpy to the company’s output. Although it was initially scheduled for July and then pushed to August, the furnace was finally commissioned in mid-September.
The company now produces SOP in two forms — water-soluble and granular — with output split evenly between the two. This product range allows Barket to serve both specialty crop needs and general agricultural markets, where chloride-free fertilizers are increasingly valued.
Looking ahead, Barket Fertilizer plans to further raise its SOP capacity to 64,500 tpy by the end of Q1 2026. Land for the expansion has already been secured, and work is expected to move forward soon.
This expansion marks an important step for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Greater domestic production of SOP will help reduce reliance on imports, conserve foreign exchange, and make fertilizer more accessible to local farmers. In particular, chloride-sensitive and high-value crops stand to benefit from improved availability of SOP.
At the same time, the development strengthens Pakistan’s chemical and fertilizer industry, potentially creating opportunities for exports in the future. However, challenges remain, including demand growth, raw material and energy costs, and the need for consistent product quality.
Barket also has plans to expand its SOP capacity further to 64 500 tpy by the end of the 1Q26.
