India maintains steady fertiliser supply despite global crisis

Global agricultural supply chains faced severe strain in recent months due to geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts. Crises in nutrient manufacturing hubs and shipping routes threatened price shocks and food inflation worldwide. Despite heavy reliance on imports for fertilisers like Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP), and natural gas feedstocks, India maintained steady agricultural productivity and fertiliser distribution.

Multiple disruptions threatened supplies simultaneously. Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping forced vessels to take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing freight and insurance costs. US-Israel military operations disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for ammonia and finished fertilisers from the Gulf. Western sanctions on Russia, a major fertiliser exporter, also complicated payments and logistics.

India imports roughly a third of its urea, substantial DAP quantities, and virtually all potash. Domestic production, government buffer stocks, and favourable monsoon conditions enabled the country to navigate recent agricultural seasons without supply disruption.