**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2173 regarding Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) imports, specifically concerning imports from China. The response, provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, addresses concerns raised by Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy.
The key findings are as follows:
* **DAP Import Trends:** DAP imports from China have decreased from approximately 22.282 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) in 2023-24 to 8.47 LMT in 2024-25. Approximately 0.97 LMT of DAP was imported from China in July 2025.
* **Import Policy:** Phosphatic and Potassic (PK) fertilizers, including DAP, are under Open General License (OGL), allowing fertilizer companies to import/manufacture based on their business dynamics.
* **China's Export Curbs:** In October 2021, China implemented mandatory additional inspections for export of fertilizer-related items, including DAP.
* **DAP Price Increase:** The Cost and Freight (CFR) price of DAP for India increased from USD 542/MT in April 2024 to approximately USD 800/MT in July 2025.
* **Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS) as an Alternative:** APS can serve as a partial alternative to DAP, particularly in sulphur-deficient soils and for sulphur-demanding crops. However, APS contains a lower phosphorus (P) content (20%) compared to DAP (46%), making it a crop and soil-specific supplement.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for the chemicals and fertilizers sector.
Department of Fertilizers: A department within the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, specifically focused on fertilizers.
SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the unstarred question No. 2173.
China: Country from which DAP was imported and which imposed export curbs on DAP.
Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP): A type of phosphatic fertilizer, import of which is discussed in the policy document.
SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers who answered the question.
Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS): A fertilizer that can be a partial alternative to DAP, especially in sulphur-deficient soils.
Open General License (OGL): A license that allows fertilizer companies to freely import manufacture Phosphatic Potassic (PK) fertilizers including DiAmmonium Phosphate (DAP) as per their business dynamics.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2173 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 01.08.2025
Import of DAP
2173. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that DAP imports from China have fallen from 23 lakh tons in 2023-
24 to 8.4 lakh tons in 2024-25, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also true that not a single ton of DAP has come from China since
January, 2025, if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is true that China imposed export curbs on DAP and if so, the reasons
therefor;
(d) whether it is true that due to China’s restrictions price of DAP has gone up to as
much as US$ 800 per ton of finished DAP, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the extent to which Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate can be alternative to DAP
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers including Di-Ammonium Phosphate
(DAP) are under Open General License (OGL). The fertilizer companies are free to import
/ manufacture these fertilizers as per their business dynamics. As reported by fertilizer
companies, DAP import from China has declined from approximately 22.28-2-
LMT in 2023-24 to about 8.47 LMT in 2024-25. In July 2025, approximately 0.97 LMT of
DAP has been imported from China.
(c): In October 2021 China amended its catalogue of commodities requiring mandatory
additional inspection prior to export of fertilizer-related items, including DAP.
(d): The CFR (Cost and Freight) price of DAP for India rose from USD 542/MT in April
2024 to approximately USD 800/MT in July 2025.
(e): Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS) may serve as a partial alternative to DAP,
particularly in sulphur-deficient soils and for sulphur-demanding crops. APS supplies
nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur, but contains lower phosphorus ‘P’ content of 20% as
compared to 46% in DAP. Thus, APS is a crop- and soil-specific supplement.
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