India Raises Urea Imports From Alternative Suppliers

India increased urea imports from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Georgia in 2026 to support domestic fertiliser availability during supply disruptions linked to the West Asia war. During April to June 2026, India sourced 52% of its 2.5 million tonnes of imported urea from these non-traditional suppliers.

Urea Imports and Supplier Diversification

India imported 15.08 lakh tonnes of urea and 7.11 lakh tonnes of diammonium phosphate between April and June 2026 from 17 countries. June 2026 import data included 3.95 lakh tonnes from Egypt, 1.65 lakh tonnes from Algeria, 1.38 lakh tonnes from Nigeria and 1.22 lakh tonnes from Georgia.

Fertiliser Subsidy and Price Trends

The subsidy disbursement for imported urea rose by 128.4% to ₹47,956.24 crore in 2025–26 from ₹21,000 crore in 2024–25. Fiscal projections placed the fertiliser subsidy bill at up to ₹3.4 lakh crore for 2026–27, against an initial budget allocation of ₹1.71 lakh crore.

Shipping Routes and Procurement Mechanism

Indian shipping routes carried 15 vessels with urea, diammonium phosphate and sulphur across the Strait of Hormuz to Indian ports in July 2026. Indian Potash Limited finalised an import tender for 2.5 million tonnes of urea on 24 April 2026 at 935 per tonne for West Coast deliveries and 959 per tonne for East Coast deliveries.

Important Facts for Exams

• Urea is a nitrogenous fertiliser and one of the most widely used fertilisers in Indian agriculture.
• Diammonium phosphate, or DAP, is a phosphatic fertiliser used during sowing and early crop growth.
• The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
• Indian Potash Limited is a major fertiliser import and distribution company in India.

Fertiliser Supply in India

India uses imported fertilisers to meet seasonal demand for kharif and rabi crops. The Department of Fertilisers handles subsidy administration for imported urea and other fertiliser categories.