India Rushes to Import Massive Urea Stock Before Kharif Season
Brief By Newsbrief / 4:29 PM on 29 May 2026
Ahead of the upcoming kharif sowing season, India has intensified efforts to secure fertilizer supplies by planning large-scale urea imports from the global market. National Fertilizers Limited has issued an international tender to purchase 1.7 million tonnes of urea in order to maintain adequate stocks during the peak farming season.
According to reports, around 900,000 tonnes of urea will be imported through ports on India’s western coast, while the remaining quantity will arrive via eastern ports. The tender reportedly requires all shipments to leave loading ports by July 20 to ensure timely availability before the sowing season gains momentum.
The move comes as India prepares for the kharif crop cycle beginning in June, when demand for fertilizers rises sharply for crops such as paddy, maize, and soybean. The government is trying to avoid any shortage during the crucial cultivation period and ensure uninterrupted supply to farmers.
India’s domestic urea production depends heavily on natural gas, much of which is imported from West Asia. Natural gas is a key raw material for producing ammonia, which is essential in urea manufacturing. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have increased pressure on LNG supplies, affecting fertilizer production in several South Asian countries.
The disruptions have also pushed international urea prices higher, as a large share of global fertilizer trade moves through the Persian Gulf region. India had previously imported nearly 2.5 million tonnes of urea through earlier tenders, but prices were significantly higher due to market uncertainty linked to the conflict.
According to the Fertilizer Ministry, India will require around 39 million tonnes of fertilizers during the June-September kharif season. The country currently holds nearly 20 million tonnes in stock, and the government is focusing on timely imports to stabilize supply and prevent shortages during peak agricultural activity.