In a major boost to India’s fertilizer security, four cargo vessels carrying consignments of urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and sulphur have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are en route to Indian ports, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said on Monday.
The ships are headed to Krishnapatnam, Kakinada, Paradeep and Mundra ports, where the cargo will be unloaded to augment supplies for the ongoing Kharif season. The government said India’s total fertilizer stock stood at 196.08 lakh tonnes as of June 22, significantly higher than the 168.67 lakh tonnes available during the corresponding period last year. Urea stocks rose to 81.44 lakh tonnes from 69.21 lakh tonnes, while DAP inventories increased to 20.92 lakh tonnes from 16 lakh tonnes.
The ministry said fertilizer sales between March 1 and June 21 reached 153.4 lakh tonnes, up from 140.2 lakh tonnes during the same period last year, reflecting strong agricultural demand. Domestic production after the crisis touched 133.12 lakh metric tonnes, complemented by imports of 43.69 lakh metric tonnes. India has also contracted 17.70 lakh metric tonnes of urea through its latest global tender, taking the total quantity of urea and phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers secured for the Kharif season to over 90 lakh metric tonnes.
According to the ministry, the procurement effort was supported by 28 Indian missions abroad, helping diversify import sources. Urea supplies have been secured from countries including Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Russia, Egypt and Algeria, while DAP and NPK imports are being sourced through the Red Sea route from countries such as Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United States.
The Department of Fertilizers said it will continue to work closely with state governments, cooperatives and distribution agencies to ensure uninterrupted availability of fertilizers and safeguard the interests of farmers.
