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Govt Holds Fertiliser Prices Steady Amid Global Volatility, Farmers Protected

The Indian government has kept fertiliser retail prices steady despite sharp global increases, ensuring affordability for farmers. Urea continues to be supplied at a subsidised rate of Rs 266.5 per bag even as international prices exceed Rs 4,000. Availability for kharif 2026 is robust, with stocks at 49% against the requirement, significantly higher than usual levels. The government has also diversified import sources, securing 25 LMT of urea through global tenders to maintain supply during peak season.

Key Points: Govt Keeps Fertiliser Prices Steady for Farmers Amid Global Rise

  • Fertiliser prices remain unchanged despite global price surge
  • Urea supplied at heavily subsidised Rs 266.5 per 45 kg bag
  • Kharif 2026 stock at 49% vs normal 33%
  • Government diversifies imports with 25 LMT urea global tender
2 min read

Govt holds fertiliser prices steady to shield farmers from volatile global market

India shields farmers from global price volatility by keeping fertiliser prices unchanged. Urea supplied at Rs 266.5 per bag despite international rates exceeding Rs 4,000.

"The government is committed to shielding farmers from global price volatility while ensuring affordability and accessibility - Ministry of Fertilisers"

New Delhi, April 27

There is no change in the retail prices of major fertilisers in India despite a sharp rise in global prices as the government is committed to shielding farmers from global price volatility while ensuring affordability and accessibility, the Ministry of Fertilisers announced on Monday.

Despite a sharp rise in global fertiliser prices -- where international prices of urea have exceeded Rs 4,000 per bag -- the government continues to supply urea to farmers at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 266.5 per 45 kg bag, a ministry statement said.

Fertiliser availability remains robust, with supplies continuing to exceed the requirements. For kharif 2026, the fertiliser requirement has been assessed by the Agriculture Ministry at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), and against this, as on Monday, the stock is around 190 LMT (49 per cent), significantly higher than the usual level of about 33 per cent. This reflects improved planning, advance stocking, and efficient logistics management by the government, the statement said.

The supply position continues to be strong in the states. For the period April 1 to April 26, availability remains substantially higher than the requirement.

Urea availability is 71.40 LMT against a requirement of 20.54 LMT, DAP availability is 23.09 LMT against 6.67 LMT requirement, MOP availability is 8.38 LMT against 1.96 LMT requirement, NPK availability is 53.40 LMT against 8.43 LMT requirement, and SSP availability is 25.78 LMT against 3.73 LMT requirement. This clearly indicates a strong opening position for the ongoing kharif season, the statement said.

Issues relating to natural gas availability for domestic urea production have also been addressed, with a steady supply being maintained to fertiliser plants and additional LNG/RLNG being arranged as required. At present, 97 per cent of LNG/RLNG is available with fertiliser plants. Most of the urea plants are running at an optimum level.

In February, India secured 13.07 LMT urea through the global tender route, and now the Government has diversified import sources and secured 25 LMT of urea through a global tender.

Indian fertiliser companies have issued an aggregated global tender for the procurement of 12 LMT DAP & 4 LMT TSP, and 3 LMT ammonium sulphate on Friday. These will help to ensure adequate availability during the peak season, the statement said.

India's fertiliser security remains strong, stable, and well-managed, with availability consistently exceeding requirement across all major fertilisers, it added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I hope this isn't just election-time gimmickry. The numbers look impressive—Rs 266 per bag vs Rs 4,000 internationally—but we need consistent policy, not just announcements. Also, what about small and marginal farmers who can't access these subsidised supplies easily? Logistics in rural areas still need improvement.
J
James A
Interesting to see India managing fertiliser supply so well despite global price spikes. The 190 LMT stock for kharif 2026 is impressive—much better than the usual 33% buffer. If the logistics really are efficient, kudos. But I've seen many such announcements where ground reality differs.
R
Rohit P
As a farmer's son, I appreciate the stability, but one concern—why is urea still being pushed so heavily? Overuse of urea damages soil health in the long run. The government should promote balanced fertilisation along with subsidising. Also, glad to see DAP and MOP supplies are strong. Hope the Kharif season goes smoothly.
S
Sarah B
It's heartening to see India diversifying import sources for urea—25 LMT through global tender shows strategic planning. But let's not ignore the elephant in the room: fertiliser subsidy bill is massive and impacts fiscal deficit. Can we move towards more sustainable, less import-dependent solutions? Good first step, but long-term vision needed.
V
Vikram M
The 97% LNG/RLNG availability for fertiliser plants is a critical detail many will miss. Without gas, urea plants can't run at optimum levels. Good to see the government addressing that. But the real test will be when the peak season demand hits—will stocks actually reach every village? Let's see.

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