The state-owned Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) in Anwara Upazila has resumed urea production after remaining shut for six and a half months due to a gas shortage. The plant restarted operations early Sunday morning (November 2), confirmed CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman.

The factory had been idle since April 11, 2025, when urea production was suspended amid a gas supply crisis. Gas flow to the plant resumed on October 19, after which preparations to restart operations began.

According to factory officials, CUFL can produce 1,100 metric tons of urea daily when fully operational. At a market rate of BDT 38,000 per ton, the plant’s daily output is worth about BDT 41.8 million. Due to the prolonged shutdown, the factory missed production worth roughly BDT 8 billion over the past six and a half months.

Officials and employees said the plant has faced repeated closures in recent years, either from mechanical failures or gas shortages. During FY 2023–24, CUFL operated for only five days. Production was halted on February 7, 2024, and resumed on October 13, 2024, after a 10-month break. However, another mechanical issue on January 3 this year caused further downtime, and despite briefly restarting on February 26. Operations stopped again on April 11, 2025, due to gas shortages.

“We began full urea production early this morning after completing all startup processes following the gas supply restoration,” said Managing Director Mizanur Rahman. “Everyone at the plant, including workers, officers, and staff, is delighted.”