India seeks alternative fertilizer supplies to secure stocks ahead of summer season

India is expanding its fertilizer sourcing strategy to ensure adequate supplies for the upcoming summer-sown crop season, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. The country currently holds about 18 million metric tons of fertilizer stocks, up from 14.7 million tons a year earlier, against an estimated seasonal requirement of 39 million tons.

Prior to the Iran conflict, the Gulf region supplied roughly 20–30% of India’s urea imports and about 30% of diammonium phosphate (DAP). In response to ongoing disruptions, the government has moved to diversify imports, securing supplies from countries including Russia, Morocco, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Canada, Algeria, Egypt, and Togo. Indian firms have also signed long-term agreements, including a deal for 2.8 million tons of Russian supplies routed via the Cape of Good Hope, while a global tender for 1.3 million tons of urea was issued in February.

The summer cropping season begins in April, with April and May typically used to build inventories. However, domestic urea production is currently running at about 1.8 million tons per month, below the usual 2.4 million tons, as some plants restart after maintenance. At the same time, India faces higher global fertilizer and freight costs, compounded by its reliance on the Middle East for around half of its liquefied natural gas imports, a key input for fertilizer production. Despite these pressures, the government continues to supply urea and DAP at subsidized prices.