CANBERRA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government said Thursday it had secured about 90,000 tonnes of agricultural-grade urea to support farmers and safeguard food production amid global supply disruptions tied to Middle East tensions.
The shipments mark the first deliveries under the government's new Strategic Reserve powers, said a government statement.
More shipments are expected in the coming weeks, building on the 250,000-tonne supply deal struck with Indonesia's state producer PT Pupuk, it said, adding the move aimed to provide certainty for farmers during planting decisions, ensuring domestic and export food supply.
The government has also announced a 7.5-billion-Australian-dollar (5.43-billion-U.S. dollar) fuel and fertilizer security facility to boost storage and supply, alongside measures to streamline fertilizer imports and strengthen industry coordination.
Australia has additionally secured over 450 million liters of diesel and 100 million liters of aviation fuel under new financing schemes, the statement said. ■