New Delhi, December 14, 2025: India has recorded a sharp surge in fertiliser imports during the current fiscal year, driven by robust agricultural demand following a strong and well-distributed monsoon. According to industry data, the country imported 14.45 million tonnes of fertilisers between April and October 2025, marking a 69% increase from 8.56 million tonnes during the same period last year.
The rise comes as farmers expanded sowing acreage and increased nutrient application to maximize crop output. Higher demand was seen across key fertilisers such as urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and complex NPK blends, reflecting intensified agricultural activity during the kharif season.
The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) attributed the import surge to favorable rainfall conditions. FAI Chairman S. Shankarsubramanian, who is also Managing Director of Coromandel International, said domestic production growth remained largely flat, rising marginally to 29.97 million tonnes from 29.75 million tonnes year-on-year. As a result, imports were required to bridge the widening supply-demand gap.
Industry projections estimate total fertiliser imports for FY 2025–26 at 22.3 million tonnes, a 41% increase over the previous year. This includes 8–9 million tonnes of urea (up from 5.6 million tonnes), 7 million tonnes of DAP, and approximately 3.3 million tonnes of NP and NPKS fertilisers. Urea imports have more than doubled in certain segments, reflecting strong consumption patterns.
Despite the sharp rise in imports, fertiliser availability remains comfortable. Stocks stood at 10.2 million tonnes by the end of November 2025, including 5 million tonnes of urea, 1.7 million tonnes of DAP, and 3.5 million tonnes of NPK fertilisers, slightly higher than last year. Industry leaders emphasized that there are no widespread shortages, although isolated regional mismatches were reported during the kharif season.
Supplies have been secured through diversified sourcing from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Morocco, Qatar, and Jordan, ensuring stability for the ongoing rabi cropping season. The government, under Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J.P. Nadda, continues to closely monitor subsidies, promote balanced nutrient usage, and pursue long-term supply agreements to stabilize future availability.
The trend highlights India’s continued reliance on imports for nearly 25% of its annual fertiliser consumption, estimated at around 70 million tonnes, underscoring the critical role of weather patterns, global supply chains, and food security considerations in shaping the sector.
