Parliament Question: Shortage of Fertilizers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2087 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 31.07.2026 Shortage of Fertilizers 2087. Shri Rahul Gandhi: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) whether the 2026 Strait of Hormuz blockade has affected supplies of fertilizers, pesticides, and related inputs to the country, if so, details thereof; (b) the details of fertilizers, pesticides, and raw materials imported since January 2026, country-wise, item-wise and year-wise; (c) whether the Government is aware that farmers are paying up to fifteen thousands per acre due to fertilizer shortages, if so, the details along with the measures taken thereon indicating the domestic production capacity and its utilisation for fertilizers and pesticides during the last twelve months, month-wise; (d) whether any fertilizer factories were operating under-capacity/shut down since March 2026, if so, the details thereof and import dependence of the country; and (e) whether the Government acknowledges that continued import dependence of key inputs makes domestic production of fertilizers vulnerable, if so, the details thereof indicating country's dependence on imports for key inputs, by quantity and percentage, namely DAP, MOP, ammonia, phosphoric acid, sulphur, rock phosphate and LNG during the last three years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a) & (b): Following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict, global supply chains have been disrupted, affecting the smooth availability of fertilizers, pesticides, and related inputs/raw materials in the country. The disruptionshave manifested in the form of increased freight and insurance costs, shipment delays, and heightened price volatility. India’s imports of key inputs such as ammonia, phosphoric acid, and sulphur have been particularly impacted, while potash imports have faced elevated landed costs due to broader global logistics disruptions. The Government has undertaken several measures to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers in the country, including diversification of import sources and targeted policy interventions. Department of Fertilizers has actively pursued sourcing diversification by exploring procurement opportunities across multiple countries, in coordination with Indian Missions abroad. The country-wise details regarding imports of Urea, DAP, MOP, NPK for the current calendar year till June are at Annexure-I. Further, the Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers. Under the Scheme, P&K fertilizers are covered under Open General License (OGL) and companies are free to import/manufacture these fertilizers/their raw materials as per their business dynamics. (c) & (d): To ensure timely and adequate supply of fertilizers in the country, before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the state- wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers. On the basis of requirement projected, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/ adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country by an on-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS). The gap between demand (requirement) and production for Urea & other fertilizer is met through imports. The import for the season is also finalized well in advance to ensure timely availability. The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents. Regularly coordinate with the Ministry of Railways for giving sufficient rakes, priority to fertilizers and for timely evacuation of rakes for States. The distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the concerned State government. The reported expenditure of ₹15,000 per acre due to fertilizer shortages is not substantiated, as the availability of fertilizers viz. Urea, DAP, MOP and NPKS has remained adequate across States during the period. The information regarding therequirement, availability, sales and closing stock of said fertilizers during the Rabi 2025-26 and ongoing Kharif 2026 season is placed at Annexure-II. The information regarding month wise production of fertilizers for last 12 months is placed at Annexure-III. The details of shutdown of fertilizer plants during March 2026 to June 2026 is placed at Annexure-IV. (e): Yes, the Government is aware that dependence on imports for key inputs exposes the fertilizer sector to global supply and price risks. India depends significantly on imports for key raw materials used in the production of fertilizers due to limited domestic reserves. This includes intermediates such as phosphoric acid, rock phosphate, sulphur, ammonia and muriate of potash for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, as well as natural gas for urea production. Due to disruption of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the Government notified the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 on 09.03.2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate the production, allocation and distribution of natural gas and to ensure its equitable availability. The Order accorded priority in the allocation of natural gas to critical sectors, including PNG (Domestic) (100% of the average consumption during the preceding six months), CNG (Transport), LPG production and fertilizer, thereby ensuring continuity of essential services, energy security and public welfare. The said measures were temporary in nature and, in view of the improvement in the supply situation, were withdrawn vide notification dated 04.07.2026. The details of natural gas consumption in fertilizer sector from Jan-2026 to May-2026 is as follows: - Consumption of natural Gas in fertilizer Sector (in MMSCM) Month/Year Domestic RLNG Total January, 2026 234 1532 1766 February, 2026 217 1380 1598 March, 2026 211 1028 1239 April, 2026 205 1195 1400 May, 2026 223 1367 1590 Further, as per information received from the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI), the estimated share of imported raw materials and intermediates for production of fertilizers in the country during the last three years is as under:S. No Fertilisers/ Feedstock/ Raw India’ import dependence (%) Materials/ Intermediates 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 1. DAP 51 49 66 2. Natural Gas (for urea) 80 78 76 3. Ammonia (for DAP/NP/NPKs) 72 77 72 4. Phosphoric acid 54 50 50 5. Rock Phosphate 88 90 89 6. Sulphur 46 52 51 7. Potash 100 100 100 *****Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2087 for answering on 31.07.2026 Import of fertilizers (Urea, DAP, MOP and NPK) present Calendar year (till June-26) Qty in LMT As Reported by the Companies Month Urea DAP MOP * NPK Jan-26 9.33 0.70 3.39 1.95 Feb-26 8.69 1.51 2.91 0.58 Mar-26 5.51 0.27 1.28 1.62 Apr-26 5.83 0.49 2.20 2.22 May-26 4.10 1.32 3.04 1.40 Jun-26 15.15 5.30 0.85 1.29 Grand Total 48.61 9.59 13.67 9.06 MOP includes both Agriculture and Industrial use* Country wise details: Country wise Import of Fertilizers (Jan-26 to Jun-26) Qty in LMT As Reported by the Companies Name of Country Urea DAP MOP NPK Algeria 2.93 0.45 - - Bahrain 1.20 - - - Brunei 0.61 - - - Canada - - 1.92 - China 5.53 0.55 - - Egypt 6.09 0.61 - - Finland 2.22 - - - Georgia 2.11 - - - Israel - - 2.17 - Jordan - 0.67 1.14 - Malaysia 1.02 - - - Morocco - 2.73 - - Nigeria 4.24 - - - Oman 6.11 - - - Qatar 2.90 - - - Russia 8.54 - 4.79 8.34 S. Arabia 1.84 3.40 - 0.28 Senegal - 0.03 - - South Korea - 0.15 - 0.44 Turkey 0.36 - - - Turkmenistan - - 3.65 - UAE 0.46 - - - USA - 1.00 - - Vietnam 2.45 - - - Grand Total 48.61 9.59 13.67 9.06 MOP includes both Agriculture and Industrial use* *****Annexure-II Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 2087 for answering on 31.07.2026 ALL INDIA AVAILABILITY OF FERTILIZERS DURING THE ONGOING KHARIF 2026 (FROM 01.04.26 TO 26.07.26) fig. in LMT S.No PRODUCT Requirement Availability DBT Sales Closing Stock as on 26.07.26 1 UREA 118.81 173.06 107.07 66.01 2 DAP 34.28 41.90 25.40 16.50 3 MOP 10.86 14.14 5.65 8.51 4 NPKS 52.34 87.57 43.09 44.48 AVAILABILITY OF FERTILIZERS DURING THE RABI 2025-26 fig. in LMT S.No PRODUCT Requirement Availability DBT Sales Closing Stock as on 31.03.26 1 UREA 196.06 257.59 203.39 54.22 2 DAP 53.43 75.41 54.47 20.93 3 MOP 15.69 19.63 11.62 8.01 4 NPKS 82.38 117.43 68.88 48.59 1. Primary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Requirement 2. Secondary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Sales *****Annexure-III Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 2087 for answering on 31.07.2026 Month Production in ‘000’ MT Urea DAP NPKs SSP Jul-25 2572.4 333.3 1147.7 521.1 Aug-25 2655.8 316.0 1204.0 472.5 Sep-25 2431.2 317.1 1139.9 540.3 Oct-25 2688.0 316.3 1190.9 555.9 Nov-25 2625.2 361.5 1170.8 489.1 Dec-25 2691.3 349.5 1196.6 464.2 Jan-26 2673.4 342.0 1226.6 416.6 Feb-26 2448.4 333.2 985.1 409.5 Mar-26 1751.6 197.1 730.0 414.1 Apr-26 2097.7 303.2 577.7 357.8 May-26 2519.5 392.7 744.1 437.3 Jun-26 2537.5 288.3 755.1 554.8 *****Annexure-IV Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) & (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 2087 for answering on 31.07.2026 Details of Shutdown Plants During March 2026 to June 2026 PLANT Shutdown Shutdown Reasons Date from Date to NFL, 06.03.2026 22.03.2026 Since Nangal unit is under NANGAL shutdown, the allocated gas is being diverted to other NFL units for better energy efficiency and production of more urea from same gas. RCF, 20.03.2026 31.03.2026 Due to plant shutdown. TROMBAY HURL, 06.03.2026 31.03.2026 Due to gas diverted to Barauni & GORAKHPUR Sindri. IFFCO, 06.03.2026 17.04.2026 Kalol Plant can't operate safely KALOL after gas supply cut. Ammonia and Urea plant shutdown taken at 16:30 hrs on 06.03.2026 because of curtailment in gas supply. So, around 0.73 MMSCMD allocated to Kalol Unit is being diverted to IFFCO Phulpur-I&II Units and Aonla-I Unit to operate these plants at an optimum level. SFC, 07.03.2026 19.03.2026 Due to plant shutdown. KOTA PPL, 15.02.2026 17.04.2026 Annual Turnaround. Received GOA notice from GAIL on Restriction of DCQ supplies to 0.66 MMSCMD. However, GAIL has accepted PPL's request to support by diversion of Gas from PPL- Goaunit (under revamp shutdown at present) to PPL- Mangalore unit to sustain Production. SPIC, 03.03.2026 18.03.2026 Stopped production for TUTICORIN maintenance activities. INDORAMA, 26.02.2026 27.03.2026 Annual Turn around. JAGDISHPUR CFCL, 01.03.2026 11.04.2026 Gas diverted to Gadepan - I & III. GADEPAN - II KFL, 21.03.2026 26.04.2026 Due to TR is under progress. SHAHJAHANP UR MATIX, 09.03.2026 15.03.2026 Due to lower Gas supply. PANAGARH NFL, NANGAL 03.04.2026 15.04.2026 Due to sudden leakage in HE-2A (Partial Condenser) in urea plant due to a sudden tube leakage in the Anti-surge Cooler (E-1705) IFFCO, 14.05.2026 16.05.2026 Plant shutdown has been taken to PHULPUR - II carry out mandatory IBR Inspection of HRU Boiler (B-3461) on 14.05.2026 at 9.30 hrs IBR Inspection completed on 15.05.2026 and currently plant start-up activities are under progress. CFCL, 01.06.2026 03.06.2026 Shutdown for annual turnaround. GADEPAN - I 08.06.2026 24.06.2026 Shutdown for annual turnaround. MFL 15.06.2026 26.06.2026 Due to equipment breakdown ****