Fertilizer availability for the upcoming kharif season, which begins in June, will remain adequate despite the disruption to the global supply chain caused by the US-Israel-Iran war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the center assured in a press statement on Friday.
The fertilizer department said India has a strong stockpile, supported by inventory lead and relatively lower consumption during the lean season. Total fertilizer stocks rose 36.5% year-on-year to 17.73 million tonnes (mt) as of March 6, compared with 12.98 million tonnes a year ago, according to official data.
The supply of key nutrients has increased significantly. Urea availability is 5.93 mt, while DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) stocks reached 2.51 mt and NPK fertilizers rose to 5.59 mt, ensuring adequate supply to farmers during the sowing season.
Officials said the higher inventory would provide a cushion against any international disruption in logistics and prevent shortages at the farm level.
Adequate supplies
To further boost supplies, India has already imported 9.8 million tonnes of finished fertilizers by February 2026, while more than 1.7 million tonnes of additional fertilizers are scheduled to be delivered in the next three months, the ministry said.
The ministry said Indian fertilizer companies have also secured long-term supply contracts with major global producers of phosphorus and potassium (P&K) fertilizers, which will help protect the domestic market from price fluctuations and supply uncertainties.
Amid concerns over a potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply disruption affecting fertilizer production, the Fertilizer Ministry said it held a high-level review meeting and assured companies that gas supply to the sector remains a national priority. The ministry said it is working closely with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to monitor global energy developments and ensure timely discharge of fertilizer imports at Indian ports.
The government said in a press statement that fertilizer manufacturers are moving their annual maintenance shutdowns to March, a period of relatively low demand, allowing factories to remain fully operational during the Kharif season.
The government has urged farmers not to panic and continue preparations for the upcoming kharif season, ensuring that supplies remain stable despite global uncertainty.
