The inspectorate also suspended the circulation of 100 tons of fertilizers that were improperly labeled.

Over 60 companies have been blacklisted for producing fake and poor quality fertilizers at 31 provinces and cities, local newspaper Nhan Dan reported, citing statistics from the Plant Cultivation Bureau.

Five rings manufacturing nearly 1,000 tons of illicit fertilizers were busted in June and July, according to the agency at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Also in July, officials and experts proposed stricter measures against those who violate fertilizer production and trade laws.

The proposed measures include higher fines for trading in dubious quality fertilizers, and stricter conditions for issuing licenses to fertilizer producers.

Reported by T.N.Quyen