Archive · 6 Aug 2025
Indian Startups Step Up Amid Chinese Disruption in Fertilizer Market
Imagine farmers need special food for their plants, like vitamins!
India usually buys these from China, but China has stopped sending them recently.
Now, some Indian companies are starting to make these special plant foods themselves, like water-soluble fertilizers.
These fertilizers help plants grow strong by giving them the right nutrients.
The market for these fertilizers is worth over a billion dollars, and the Indian companies are hoping to grow big and help farmers by making their own products.
China has reportedly withheld specialty fertilizer shipments to India.
Indian startups are stepping up to produce specialty fertilizers.
Specialty fertilizers deliver targeted nutrients based on soil and crops.
The specialty fertilizer market in India was valued at about $1.02 billion in 2023.
Startups are focusing on producing water-soluble fertilizers, previously lacking in Indian production.
- Who
- Indian startups like Ishita International, Mitrasena Pvt. Ltd, and Agricell Crop Science.
- What
- Indian startups are producing specialty fertilizers to counter disruptions in supply from China.
- When
- China has reportedly withheld shipments over the past two to three months as of July 2024.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address the disruption of specialty fertilizer supplies from China and to meet rising demand.
- Market Value (2023)
- $1.02 billion
- China's Market Share
- 80% of imported specialty fertilizers
- Fertilizer Types
- Mono-ammonium phosphate, mono-potassium phosphate, water-soluble fertilizers
- Demand in FY25
- 1.2-1.3 million tonnes annually
- Largest Share
- Micronutrients (50-55%)
- Startups' Focus
- Water-soluble fertilizers and other specialty types