Ministry of Agriculture has refused the request submitted by government-owned fertiliser companies to increase fertiliser prices by EGP500/tonne, according to Al Mal. The request was submitted following the increase in natural gas cost for fertilisers companies, which came in as a result of the recent devaluation, since the gas cost is quoted in USD and paid in EGP equivalent. A source at the Ministry of Agriculture mentioned that the request was rejected to protect farmers against any input hikes. It is worth noting that the government-owned fertiliser companies are obliged to offer quotas of certain products at subsidised prices. (Al Mal)