Lok Sabha Question No. 921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Import of Speciality Fertilizers from China
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## Government of India Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Department of Fertilizers

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 921 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 25.07.2025 Import of Speciality Fertilizers from China

## 921. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- a) the details of speciality fertilizers that India imports from China to increase yields of fruits, vegetables and other remunerative crops during the last ten years, yearwise and fertilizer variety-wise;
- b) whether China, without imposing a formal ban, is effectively blocking the export of  speciality  fertilizers  to  India  by  halting  inspection  of  shipments  and  other coercive measures; and
- c) if so, the remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a): In Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 there is no fertilizer classified as specialty fertilizer. However, there is category of fertilizer namely 100 % water soluble complex fertilizer, 100 % water soluble mixture of fertilizer. The fertilizer inspector of Government of India draws the samples of imported fertilizer at various ports. The Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Training Institute (CFQC&TI) have provided the data on the inspection made by  the  institute  during  the  last  five  years  specifically  of  the  water  soluble  fertilizer imported from China which is attached as Annexure-I .
- (b) & (c): Specialty Fertilizers are not covered under ambit of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme administered by Department of Fertilizers and therefore, Specialty

-2-

Fertilizers are not subsidized. Fertilizer companies are free to import these fertilizers as  per  their  business  dynamics.  Over  the  past  2-3  months,  China  has  reportedly withheld export of specialty fertilizers to India. Indian companies are actively sourcing Water  Soluble  Fertilizers  from  alternative  suppliers  in  Belgium,  Egypt,  Germany, Morocco & USA to offset the shortfall caused by reduced imports from China. In the case  of micronutrients,  India  imports major  quantity  of  various  micronutrients  from Greece, Turkey, USA, Spain, Singapore and Netherlands, while a little quantity of zinc sulphate monohydrate from China. Therefore, there will be not much impact on the availability of micronutrients.

Further,  Indian  research  institutions  including  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research  (ICAR)  and  State  Agricultural  Universities  are  advancing  indigenous solutions such as zinc EDTA, boron blends, nano-fertilizers, and biofertilizers enriched with micronutrients, including zinc-solubilizing bacteria.  These research-based innovations  are  helping  India  move  towards  self-reliance  in  nutrient  management, reduce import dependency, and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity.

In this regard, ICAR through institutes like IISS-Bhopal, IARI-Delhi, and IIHRBengaluru,  has  developed  and  validated  technologies  such  as  nano  fertilizers, biofertilizers, and customized nutrient blends. These efforts are supported by initiatives like Soil Test-Based Fertilizer Recommendations and Site-Specific Nutrient Management  (SSNM)  which  supports  a  holistic  Integrated  Nutrient  Management Strategy.

*****

Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no.

## 921 for answering on 25.07.2025

| Sl. No.   | Name of Fertilizer                   |   2020-21 Quantity (MT) |   2021-22 Quantity (MT) |   2022-23 Quantity (MT) |   2023-24 Quantity (MT) |   2024-25 Quantity (MT) |
|-----------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
| 1.        | Calcium Nitrate                      |                37828.6  |                49025.1  |               46770.3   |                47882.9  |                60202.4  |
| 2.        | Potassium Nitrate                    |                18074.3  |                12846    |               11976.9   |                23886.9  |                18251.2  |
| 3.        | Mono Potassium Phosphate             |                 9084.11 |                18014.2  |               17008.3   |                17190.4  |                20940.4  |
| 4.        | Mono Ammonium Phosphate              |                27141.1  |                27039.1  |               55027     |                56268.3  |                51523.5  |
| 5.        | NPK water soluble                    |                 4796.31 |                 4898.42 |                7936     |                 7032.65 |                 6472.01 |
| 6.        | Sulphate of Potash                   |                 1762.81 |                 1890.91 |                1970.31  |                 2012.65 |                 3242.05 |
| 7.        | Mixture of Micronutrient Fertilizers |                  161.48 |                  180.14 |                 260.008 |                  263.34 |                  205    |
|           | Total                                |                98848.7  |               113894    |              140949     |               154537    |               160837    |