Market Supervision Bureau Takes Action against Selling Substandard ammonium sulfate

On April 19, 2023, the Market Supervision Bureau in Beilin District, Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province, imposed administrative penalties on Yuan Moujun for the illegal sale of substandard fertilizer. The offender was ordered to immediately cease the illegal activities and confiscated 104.65 metric tons of substandard ammonium sulfate fertilizer, along with a fine of 110,000 yuan.

On March 15, 2023, the Market Supervision Bureau in Beilin District, Suihua City received a prosecutorial opinion from the District Procuratorate regarding the case. It stated that in March 2022, Yuan Moujun had purchased ammonium sulfate from Wang Leiming, which was found to be substandard after testing by Heilongjiang Huace Technology Testing Co., Ltd. Subsequently, an investigation was launched. According to the investigation, in March 2022, the offender ordered 160 metric tons of ammonium sulfate from Wang Leiming but received only 120 metric tons. By the time of the investigation, 19.55 metric tons had been sold at a price of 1,700 yuan per ton. After the incident came to light, the offender initiated a recall of the sold fertilizer. The remaining 104.65 metric tons were seized by the public security authorities. The total value of the products involved in the case was estimated to be 204,000 yuan. The offender’s actions were suspected of selling substandard products, which violated Article 39 of the Product Quality Law of the People’s Republic of China. The Market Supervision Bureau in Beilin District, therefore, imposed administrative penalties in accordance with the law.

Ammonium sulfate is a high-quality nitrogen fertilizer suitable for general soils and crops. It promotes vigorous growth of branches and leaves, improves fruit quality and yield, and enhances crop resilience to disasters. However, the use of substandard ammonium sulfate can not only lead to reduced grain production but also damage the soil quality of farmland. Market supervision authorities are intensifying efforts to crack down on substandard fertilizers to ensure the quality and safety of fertilizer products.”