India's kharif 2026 fertiliser stocks at 195.79 LMT, cover 51% of season need
Synopsis
Despite the West Asia crisis choking global fertiliser supply routes, India has quietly assembled a kharif stockpile that is 51% of full-season need — nearly double the mandated buffer. With 163 LMT added through emergency imports from 11 countries and a global urea tender still in progress, the government's supply-chain pivot is one of the least-reported logistical feats of 2026.
Key Takeaways
India's fertiliser stock stands at 195.79 LMT against a kharif season requirement of 383.9 LMT — covering over 51% of need.
The 33% buffer norm has been significantly exceeded, with the Department of Fertilisers calling availability 'unprecedented'.
India added 163.01 LMT through imports and domestic production since the West Asia crisis began.
Urea is available to farmers at ₹266.5 per 45-kg bag against a global price exceeding ₹4,100 ; DAP at ₹1,350 per 50-kg bag vs. over ₹5,000 globally.
More than 25 LMT of fertilisers are expected at Indian ports in June 2026 ; a global tender for 17 LMT of urea is underway.
India holds 195.79 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of fertiliser stock ahead of the kharif season 2026, covering more than 51% of the Agriculture Ministry's revised full-season requirement of 383.9 LMT, the government said on Monday, 15 June 2026. The Department of Fertilisers described the availability as unprecedented, far exceeding the traditional buffer standard of 33%.
How India Built the Buffer
Since the West Asia crisis disrupted global supply chains, India has added approximately 163.01 LMT of fertilisers through a combination of increased domestic production and accelerated imports. Of this, more than 50 LMT of urea and phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers have been secured during the ongoing crisis period alone.
In coordination with 28 Indian missions abroad, the government sourced urea from Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey, and the Netherlands. DAP and NPK fertilisers were procured from Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia — routed via the Red Sea to bypass the congested Strait of Hormuz.
June Arrivals and Ongoing Procurement
More than 25 LMT of imported urea, DAP, and NPK is expected to arrive at Indian ports during June 2026 alone. Additionally, India has floated a global tender for the procurement of a further 17 LMT of urea, which is currently in progress, according to the department's statement.
The Department of Fertilisers is also clearing all subsidy bills raised by fertiliser companies on a weekly basis, and officials confirmed that adequate budgetary provision is in place for continued subsidy payments.
What Farmers Pay vs. Global Prices
The stark contrast between global commodity prices and what Indian farmers actually pay underscores the scale of the Centre's subsidy commitment. A 45-kg bag of urea — priced above ₹4,100 on global markets — reaches farmers at a heavily subsidised ₹266.5. Similarly, a 50-kg bag of DAP, which costs over ₹5,000 internationally, is available to farmers at just ₹1,350.
Outlook for Kharif Season
The Agriculture Ministry's revised requirement of 383.9 LMT for the full kharif season reflects updated demand projections across all major fertiliser categories. With current stocks already exceeding half that figure and fresh imports en route, officials stated that fertiliser security remains 'strong, stable, and well-managed.' The Department of Fertilisers said it is conducting regular reviews of input availability for both urea and P&K fertiliser production to pre-empt any supply-side disruptions in the months ahead.
Point of View
But the more significant story is the supply-chain improvisation it required. Routing DAP and NPK through the Red Sea to sidestep the Strait of Hormuz, activating 28 diplomatic missions, and diversifying urea sources across 11 countries in a compressed window is not routine procurement — it is crisis logistics. What remains unexamined is the cost: the subsidy bill for maintaining urea at ₹266.5 against a global price of ₹4,100 is enormous, and weekly disbursements signal fiscal pressure even if officials describe the budget as 'adequate'. The kharif season will test whether physical availability translates into last-mile distribution, which has historically been the weaker link in India's fertiliser chain.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fertiliser stock does India have for kharif 2026?
India currently holds approximately 195.79 LMT of fertiliser, against a revised kharif season requirement of 383.9 LMT assessed by the Agriculture Ministry. This represents over 51% advance availability — well above the standard 33% buffer.
How did the West Asia crisis affect India's fertiliser supply?
The West Asia crisis disrupted established supply routes, including through the Strait of Hormuz. India responded by sourcing fertilisers from 11 countries via alternate routes, including the Red Sea, and coordinating with 28 missions abroad to secure more than 50 LMT of urea and P&K fertilisers during the crisis period.
What price do Indian farmers pay for urea and DAP in 2026?
Indian farmers pay ₹266.5 for a 45-kg bag of urea, compared to a global market price exceeding ₹4,100 . A 50-kg bag of DAP costs farmers ₹1,350 , against an international price of over ₹5,000 , with the Centre absorbing the difference through subsidy.
Which countries is India importing fertilisers from?
India is importing urea from Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Georgia, Nigeria, Russia, Finland, Egypt, Algeria, Turkey, and the Netherlands. DAP and NPK fertilisers are being sourced from Russia, Morocco, Egypt, the United States, Jordan, South Korea, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.
Is there a risk of fertiliser shortage during kharif 2026?
The government says the risk is low, citing stocks already above 51% of full-season requirement and more than 25 LMT of imports expected at Indian ports in June 2026 alone. A global tender for an additional 17 LMT of urea is also in progress.
