Fertiliser Imports Rise as Domestic Production Falls in FY 2025‑26

India has increased fertiliser imports sharply during the current fiscal year as domestic production of key nutrients slipped, according to provisional figures released on January 29, 2026. 

Import Surge Offsets Domestic Production Decline 

Urea imports rose 85% year on year, lifting total urea sales to 31.16 million tonnes between April and December. Domestic urea output fell 3.2% to 22.44 million tonnes, making imports essential for meeting demand during the peak nutrition period. 

Di‑ammonium phosphate (DAP) sales fell slightly to 8.00 million tonnes from 8.33 million tonnes a year earlier. However, imports of DAP increased 45.7% to 5.95 million tonnes, cushioning a 3.9% drop in local production. 

Complex Fertilisers See Production Growth and Import Spike 

Production of NP and NPK fertilisers (excluding DAP) grew 13.1% to 9.27 million tonnes. Imports of these complex blends more than doubled, reaching 3.29 million tonnes. Overall sales of complex fertilisers held steady at 11.74 million tonnes, indicating a strategic effort to maintain balanced nutrient availability. 

Implications for Crop Nutrition 

The heightened import levels helped stabilise supply chains during the critical sowing and cropping seasons. By supplementing the shortfall in domestic output, the increased imports ensured that farmers had access to essential nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients. 

Read More: India Set for Record $18 Billion Fertiliser Import Bill This Fiscal Year! 

Conclusion 

Data for the first nine months of FY 2025‑26 show a clear pattern: domestic fertiliser production has contracted, while imports of urea, DAP and NPK have risen sharply. The combined effect has kept overall fertiliser sales stable and supported agricultural nutrient needs. 

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