File picture: A farm worker applies fertiliser to a paddy field at Mankara in Palakkad earlier this year.
| Photo Credit:
K K Mustafah
The total stock of fertilisers as of Friday was 177.31 lakh tonnes (lt) – 59.30 lt of urea, 25.13 lt of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), 55.87 lt of complex (combination of N, P, K nutrients) – which is 36 per cent higher from 129.85 lt in the year-ago period, the Department of Fertilizers said in a statement. However, there was no mention of the muriate of potash (MOP) stock.
In the last Kharif season, fertilisers sales were 193.2 lt of urea (against 185.4 lt of estimated demand), 46.33 lt of DAP (56.99 lt demand), 10.95 lt of MOP (11.13 lt demand) and 81.48 lt of complex (76.51 lt demand) during April-September period. The demand for 2026 kharif season will be estimated at the agriculture ministers of states meeting at annual Kharif conference, likely in April.
Large buffer
With the aggressive strategy of advance storage in low consumption phase, the government has created a large buffer stock of fertilisers, it said.
“The stockpiles data of different fertilisers show that India will be able to withstand the global supply shock in the coming kharif season. It will be ensured that fertiliser is made available to the farmers without hindrance despite international logistics barriers,” the Ministry said.
To ensure continuity of supplies of all grades of subsidised fertilisers, the Department has already tied up critical incoming shipments. The government has so far imported 98 lakh tonnes of finished fertilisers up to February 2026, and further imports of more than 17 lakh tonnes are already lined up for the next three months. This is a testimony to the government’s proactive approach in securing the farming community’s interests amidst global turmoil.
Furthermore, to insulate the country from regional pricing and supply volatility, Indian companies have secured long-term supply agreements with major international producers for P&K fertilisers.
Optimising resources
The government is also actively manoeuvring to optimise resources amid the LNG supply strain. In a high-level review meeting held in the department on Friday, the government assured fertiliser companies that gas supply to their sector remains a top national priority. The department stated that farmers are the priority of the government, and their interests will not be compromised under any circumstances. Farmers are encouraged to proceed with their Kharif preparations without any panic.
Demonstrating tactical agility, the Department has said that traditionally fertiliser companies schedule plant shutdowns for repair and maintenance in the current lean period. These companies have now come forward to pre-pone their maintenance scheduled to March to utilize the disruptive time to their advantage.
Multiple global sources are also being tapped for additional imports of finished fertilisers. The Department of Fertilisers, in close coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, continues to monitor situation in real time, to ensure early discharge of imports, and it stands ready to execute quick responses, as global energy markets evolve, the official statement said.
Published on March 6, 2026