Archive · 6 Jan 2026
India's Fertilizer Imports to Surge 41% in FY26
India is expected to import 41% more fertilizers in the next fiscal year (2025-26) because of a good monsoon season.
This means they will bring in 22.3 million tonnes of fertilizers.
Even though there has been a big increase in fertilizer imports, some farmers are still complaining about shortages.
The stock of fertilizers is higher now compared to last year, but industry leaders say there is enough to meet the current demand.
India has also made deals with other countries to make sure they have enough fertilizers.
Over 150 companies help meet most of India's fertilizer needs, with imports covering the rest.
India uses a lot of fertilizers, about 70 million tonnes a year, which is second only to China.
IFFCO, a big fertilizer company, is also looking to set up factories in other countries like Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Senegal to make more fertilizers.
They are also working on new types of fertilizers called nano fertilizers, but not many farmers are using them yet.
The government is trying to get farmers to use these new fertilizers to spend less money on subsidies.
India's fertilizer imports are projected to increase by 41% to 22.3 million tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year due to strong monsoon demand.
Fertilizer imports surged by 69% to 14.45 million tonnes during April-October, with stocks at 10.2 million tonnes by end-November.
Industry leaders assert that current fertilizer availability is adequate to meet the demand of the current Rabi season.
India has diversified its fertilizer sourcing and reduced imports from China, with strategic partnerships formed with nations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, and Russia.
Domestic fertilizer production saw a marginal increase to 29.97 million tonnes during April-October, with imports covering the remaining nutrient needs.
IFFCO is scouting to set up joint venture manufacturing facilities in countries including Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Senegal to source fertilizers.
The use of nano fertilizers continues to lag targets, with sales at 10-15% of the installed capacity.
IFFCO plans to launch nano granular NPK by early 2027 and is setting up its first plant abroad for manufacturing nano-soil nutrients in Brazil.
- Who
- Fertilizer Association of India (FAI), Indian farmers, industry leaders, IFFCO
- What
- Projected 41% increase in fertilizer imports for FY26 due to strong monsoon demand and strategic partnerships for supply security
- When
- April-October 2023, with projections for 2025-26 fiscal year
- Where
- India, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Senegal, Brazil
- Why
- Increased domestic demand due to good monsoon rains and strategic partnerships for supply security
- Projected import increase
- 41% in FY26
- Projected import volume
- 22.3 million tonnes in 2025-26
- Current fertilizer stock
- 10.2 million tonnes (as of end-November)
- Current urea stock
- 5 million tonnes (as of end-November)
- Current DAP stock
- 1.7 million tonnes (as of end-November)
- Current NPK stock
- 3.5 million tonnes (as of end-November)
- Fertilizer imports April-October
- 14.45 million tonnes
- Domestic fertilizer production April-October
- 29.97 million tonnes
- Farming households in India
- 140 million
- India's annual fertilizer consumption
- 70 million tonnes
- IFFCO's nano fertilizer sales target
- 80 million bottles of nano urea for FY26
- Fertilizer subsidy for 2025-26
- Rs 1.95 lakh crore
- IFFCO's total sales turnover
- Rs 41,244 crore in 2024-25
- IFFCO's net profit increase
- 16% increase to Rs 2,823 crore in 2024-25
Sources
Fertilizer import likely to jump 41% in FY26 on strong monsoon demand: FAI
Govt plans to link fertiliser subsidy to land holding
Strong monsoon to push India's fertiliser imports 41% up as domestic demand surges
IFFCO scouting for JV partners to set up fertilizer plants abroad, secure supply for India
Govt planning to increase fixed costs for gas-based urea manufacturers after 25 years
India plans ‘many interventions’ by March ‘26 amid farmers’ complaints on urea shortage
Tractor sales dip sharply in November after all time high in October
Nano fertiliser use far below target
IFFCO scouting JVs in Sri Lanka, Jordan & Senegal to source fertilisers
