The competitiveness of Bulgaria`s fertilizers producers depends on the amount of energy used for the production of ammonia, Pari Daily wrote. The figures for Bulgarian plants (between 8,8 and 13,5 gigacal per ton) are much higher than the average in the world. This increases the price of the products and makes Bulgarian producers non-competitive on the international markets. The only exception is the ammonia producing installation at Neftochim in the town of Dimitrovgrad. At the other end of the scale is Agrobiochim with 13,5 gigacal per ton and high prices of the ammonia produced. Among the factors for the crisis are the bad domestic markets, the repayment of debts for natural gas supplies, fertilizers prices on the international markets, the lack of timely protection against imported urea and nitrate. Experts hope however that Bulgaria`s exports of ammonium fertilizers will increase, especially to the European Union and American markets. It is expected that exports will be boosted also thanks to Bulgaria`s location and the bilateral agreements on economic cooperation with different countries. The exports however will increase the shortage of fertilizers in Bulgaria.