India’s fertiliser game plan: Over 32 lakh tonnes imported in Q1; strengthened supply chain through overseas deals

India brought in more than 32 lakh tonnes of key fertilisers during the first quarter of the current financial year, with imports of urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) supplementing domestic production to meet demand, according to information shared by the government in Parliament.In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, chemicals and fertilizers minister J P Nadda said that the country imported 25.08 lakh tonnes of urea and 7.11 lakh tonnes of DAP during the April-June period. Over the same quarter, domestic fertiliser production stood at 115.72 lakh tonnes.The production data showed that urea accounted for 71.55 lakh tonnes of the total output, while DAP production was 9.84 lakh tonnes.For comparison, the minister referred to the financial year 2025-2026 when India had produced 517.74 lakh tonnes of fertilisers. During that period, the country imported 103.50 lakh tonnes of urea and 61.94 lakh tonnes of DAP, according to government data.

Government looks to diversify overseas supplies

Highlighting the government’s strategy on fertiliser procurement, Nadda said efforts are underway to broaden the country’s import base in view of disruptions in global supply chains.“The government has undertaken sustained efforts to diversify import sources to mitigate risks arising from global supply chain disruptions,” Nadda said.He added that the government has facilitated long-term commercial arrangements between Indian fertiliser companies and overseas suppliers to strengthen supply security.The minister also said the Department of Fertilizers has been working with Indian Missions abroad to identify alternative sources of supply from different countries, reducing dependence on any single nation, including China.“While China has reportedly withheld exports of specialty fertilisers to India, Indian companies have been actively diversifying and sourcing water soluble fertilisers from alternative suppliers in Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Morocco and USA to offset the shortfall caused by reduced imports from China,” the minister said.

Long-term agreements abroad

As part of these measures, India has finalised long-term agreements with Saudi Arabian companies for the annual supply of about 31 lakh tonnes of DAP, Nadda said.He added that Indian fertiliser companies have also entered into agreements with Russian suppliers to import about 26.50 lakh tonnes of DAP/NPK fertilisers during the current year.Separately, agreements have been concluded for the import of 4.80 lakh tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) from Russia, Germany and Turkmenistan, according to the minister.