New Delhi, June 12: The Centre on Thursday sought to allay concerns over possible disruptions to fertiliser supplies arising from escalating tensions in West Asia, asserting that India has adequate stocks to meet agricultural demand during the ongoing kharif sowing season and that the country’s fertiliser security remains robust.
The assurance came during an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia, where senior government officials outlined measures taken to safeguard critical imports and maintain supply chains. The government also indicated that fertiliser subsidy requirements for the current financial year could be reviewed following a significant decline in global urea prices.
Addressing the media, Aparna S. Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, said the country’s fertiliser inventory remains comfortable and sufficient to support farmers during the peak agricultural season.
“The stock position of fertilisers in the country is comfortable. India’s fertiliser security remains as strong as ever,” Sharma said, emphasizing that the government has taken proactive steps over the years to diversify sourcing and strengthen supply arrangements.
Her remarks come at a time when concerns have been raised globally about the potential impact of geopolitical instability in West Asia on international trade routes and commodity markets. India, which imports a significant portion of its fertiliser requirements, closely monitors such developments because any disruption in supply chains can influence domestic availability and prices.
However, officials maintained that current stock levels and procurement arrangements are adequate to meet domestic requirements. They pointed to a combination of long-term supply agreements, overseas investments and strategic procurement policies that have helped reduce risks associated with global market volatility.
The government also signalled that fertiliser subsidy estimates for 2026-27 may be reassessed in light of recent developments in the international urea market. According to Sharma, the initial subsidy projections were based on prevailing market conditions when budget calculations were prepared. However, a sharp decline in global urea prices has altered the outlook.
The possibility of revising subsidy requirements emerged after state-owned National Fertilizers Limited received bids exceeding six million tonnes of urea in response to a tender seeking imports of 1.7 million tonnes. The strong response from suppliers and lower quoted prices are expected to improve procurement economics for India.
Officials noted that a final assessment of subsidy implications would depend on the quantity ultimately procured and the country’s overall import requirements in the coming months. Nevertheless, lower global prices are expected to help moderate government expenditure on fertiliser subsidies while ensuring uninterrupted nutrient supplies to farmers.
According to the ministry, the recent fall in urea prices has been driven largely by increased production and exports from new supplier nations entering the global market. Greater competition among exporting countries has expanded supply and contributed to softer prices.
Sharma said India’s comfortable stock position may also have influenced market dynamics, as exporting countries recognized that India was not facing immediate shortages and therefore had greater flexibility in procurement decisions.
India has pursued a strategy of diversifying its fertiliser supply sources to avoid dependence on any single region. The government highlighted that urea imports are currently sourced from a wide range of countries, including Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey and the Netherlands.
Similarly, imports of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and complex NPK fertilisers are secured from countries such as Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
Officials credited Indian diplomatic missions abroad and coordinated engagement with international suppliers for helping maintain uninterrupted access to essential fertiliser inputs despite global uncertainties.
The assurance is likely to provide relief to farmers as kharif cultivation gathers pace across the country. Fertilisers remain a critical component of agricultural production, and timely availability plays a major role in crop yields and food security. With sowing activities underway in many regions, the government’s message was clear: despite geopolitical tensions abroad, fertiliser supplies for Indian agriculture remain secure and sufficient for the season ahead.
