Monsoon Session: India’s Fertiliser Imports Surge from China, Others

India imports a substantial amount of water-soluble fertilisers from China, alongside countries like Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Morocco, and the USA, according to information shared in Parliament on Friday. With an annual consumption of approximately 3.35 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 fiscal year, these fertilisers are critical for cash and horticultural crops.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel clarified that fertiliser companies independently import phosphatic and potassium fertilisers based on market dynamics. Responding to concerns about potential Chinese export halts affecting Indian farmers, Patel noted that no such disruptions have been officially classified under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985, which recognizes only "100 per cent water soluble complex fertiliser" and "100 per cent water soluble mixture" categories.

Unlike subsidised fertilisers under the government’s Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme, water-soluble fertilisers are not covered, making their supply chain vulnerable to global market shifts. The reliance on imports, particularly from China, underscores the need for strategic planning to ensure a stable supply for Indian agriculture, especially for high-value crops.

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