Turkmenistan Breaks Ground on Major Urea Plant in Balkan Region to Boost Fertilizer Exports

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 3 — Construction has officially begun on a new urea production plant in Turkmenistan’s western Balkan region, marking a major expansion of the country’s chemical and fertilizer industry, Trend reports.

The project, launched by the state concern Türkmenhimiýa, is designed to produce up to 1.155 million tons of mineral fertilizers annually. Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation and Türkiye’s Gap Inşaat will jointly implement the large-scale venture.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, officials emphasized that urea remains one of Turkmenistan’s key export commodities and that the new plant will help reduce reliance on imported fertilizers while strengthening the nation’s agricultural base.

The Balkan region was selected for its strategic location near major natural gas fields along the Caspian coast, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials essential for urea production.

Beyond its industrial impact, the project promises significant social and economic benefits, including the creation of new jobs and improved living standards for local communities.

Turkmenistan already operates three major urea production plants — in Garabogaz, Mary, and Lebap (Turkmenabat) — all managed by Türkmenhimiýa. The Garabogaz facility alone boasts an annual capacity of 1.16 million tons, making it one of the largest in the region. Together, these plants anchor Turkmenistan’s drive to expand fertilizer exports and support agricultural productivity both at home and abroad.