Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Import of Raw Materials for Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 482* TO BE ANSWERED ON : 27.03.2026

## Import of Raw Materials for Fertilizers

## *482.  SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

- Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) the percentage of raw materials for fertilizers in the country that continue to  be  import-dependent in  the light  of  geopolitical  disruptions  and  the timeline for achieving domestic substitution; (b) the corrective measures being implemented to address excessive urea consumption and soil nutrient imbalance; and whether it is true that our country continues to rely heavily on imports for critical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, if so, the details thereof and

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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- (c) the reasons therefor?

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO 482* FOR 27.03.2026  REGARDING  'IMPORT  OF  RAW  MATERIALS  FOR  FERTILIZERS' TABLED BY SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL

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(a): India depends significantly on imports for key raw materials used in the production of  fertilizers  due  to  limited  domestic  reserves. This  includes intermediates  such  as phosphoric  acid,  rock  phosphate,  sulphur,  ammonia  and  muriate  of  potash  for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, as well as natural gas for urea production. As per information received from the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI), the estimated share of imported raw materials and intermediates for fertilisers in the country during 2024-25 is given in the table below:

|   Sl. No. | Raw material/ Intermediates     |   Estimated share of import (%) |
|-----------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|         1 | Rock phosphate                  |                              86 |
|         2 | Sulphur                         |                              52 |
|         3 | Natural Gas for Urea Sector     |                              78 |
|         4 | Ammonia for Complex Fertilisers |                              75 |
|         5 | Phosphoric Acid                 |                              52 |
|         6 | Muriate of Potash               |                             100 |

India is dependent on imports of raw materials of fertilizers to meet its demand. To ensure a stable and assured supply in view of this dependency, Department of Fertilizers has facilitated the signing of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) between Indian companies  and  resource  rich  countries  for  raw  materials  to  ensure  domestic production. Details of LTAs is attached as Annexure-I .

Further, under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme for P&K fertilizers, based on requests, new manufacturing units or increase in manufacturing capacity of existing units have been recognized/taken on record under the Scheme to increase domestic production.  Under the Scheme, P&K fertilizers are  covered under  Open General  License  (OGL)  and  companies  are  free  to  import/manufacture  these fertilizers  as  well  as  their  raw  materials  as  per  their  business  dynamics.  As  per information received from the fertilizer companies, companies are establishing

DAP/NPK plants with a combined annual capacity of 59.65 LMT and  phosphoric acid/sulphuric acid plants with a combined annual capacity of 44.21 LMT.

Under the National Green Hydrogen  Mission, the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition  (SIGHT) scheme includes  Mode-2A, which focuses on demand aggregation and procurement of Green Ammonia for the fertilizer sector. A provision  has  been  made  for  procurement of  7.24  LMT of  Green Ammonia  by the Fertilizer companies for production of P&K fertilizers.

(b): Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  recommends  soil  test-based balanced fertilization, ensuring that nutrients are applied according to the actual needs

of the crops and supplementing soil nutrients.  This is complemented by the balanced application  of  NPK  fertilizers  rather  than  excessive  reliance  on  nitrogen  alone. Integrated  Nutrient  Management  (INM)  is  promoted  through  the  combined  use  of inorganic fertilizers and organic sources such as manure, compost, green manure, biofertilizers, and crop residue recycling, which helps maintain soil health and reduce chemical fertilizer dependency.

Efficient fertilizer use is encouraged through practices such as split application of  nitrogen,  proper  placement  of  fertilizers,  and  the  use  of  slow-release  fertilizers, neem-coated urea, and nitrification inhibitors to minimize nutrient losses. The use of biofertilizers  and  adoption  of  organic  farming  practices  further  support  sustainable nutrient  supply  and  reduce  urea  consumption.  In  addition,  proper  soil  and  water management practices enhance nutrient use efficiency and prevent losses through leaching and runoff.

ICAR also engaged in capacity building through farmer training, demonstrations, and awareness programs that plays an important role in promoting these practices. Together, these measures help reduce excessive urea consumption, ensure  balanced  nutrient  application,  and  improve  soil  health  while  protecting  the environment.

(c): In FY 2024-25, India imported 200 categories of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), bulk drugs, and drug intermediates worth approximately USD 4.35 billion, as per HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) based import data. China accounted for  about  73.7%  of  these imports.  The  details  of  major  source  countries  with  high import dependence are placed at Annexure-II .

Factors contributing to this dependence include low-cost manufacturing of API, evolved industrial infrastructure, low cost of utilities such as power and competitive price derived from economies of scale in the source countries.

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## Annexure-I

Annexure referred to in the reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 482, to be answered on 27.03.20261. Rock Phosphate:

## Jordan

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product        | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)              |
|------------------|-----------------------|----------------|------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Ostwal           | JPMC                  | Rock Phosphate | 5,00,000               | 10 yrs May 2022 to April 2032 |

## Morocco

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product        | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)               |
|------------------|-----------------------|----------------|------------------------|--------------------------------|
| PPL              | OCP                   | Rock Phosphate | 16,00,000 to 18,00,000 | 10yrs (31-Dec-23 to 30-Nov-33) |

## Togo

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product        | Annual Quantity (MT)    | Duration (Years)               |
|------------------|-----------------------|----------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------|
| FACT             | SNPT                  | Rock Phosphate | 2,40,000 (non- binding) | 3 yrs 10.02.2025 to 09.01.2028 |

## Mauritania

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company         | Product        | Annual Quantity (MT)    | Duration (Years)   |
|------------------|-----------------------------|----------------|-------------------------|--------------------|
| RCF              | M/s. Atlantic Minerals SARL | Rock Phosphate | 1,50,000 (non- binding) | 3 yrs 2025 to 2028 |

2. Phosphoric Acid:

## Morocco

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product         | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)                     |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| PPL              | OCP                   | Phosphoric acid | 3,00,000 to 3,50,000   | Yearly (Quarterly renewal Agreement) |
| Indorama         | OCP                   | Phosphoric Acid | 1,20,000 MT of P2O5    | Ongoing, signed on 01.06.2021        |
|                  | Total:                | Total:          | 4,20,000 to 4,70,000   |                                      |

## Tunisia

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product         | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)                 |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|------------------------|----------------------------------|
| GSFC             | TIFERT                | Phosphoric Acid | 1,80,000               | 30yrs (21/08/2006 to 21/08/2036) |

## Senegal

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product         | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)             |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|------------------------|------------------------------|
| IFFCO            | ICS                   | Phosphoric Acid | 5,50,000               | 34 years Started: 17-May- 99 |

3. Ammonia

## Saudi Arabia

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product   | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)                |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------|------------------------|---------------------------------|
| CIL              | MA'ADEN               | Ammonia   | 6,00,000 (+/- 10%)     | 3yrs (01/01/2024 to 31/12/2026) |

## Oman

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company              | Product   | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)                |
|------------------|----------------------------------|-----------|------------------------|---------------------------------|
| PPL              | East West General Trading, Dubai | Ammonia   | 3,50,000               | 3 years 01-Aug-24 to 31-Jul- 27 |

## Japan

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product   | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)            |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------|------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Indorama         | ITOCHU                | Ammonia   | 15,000 - 60,000 MT     | 1 yr (01.01.25 to 31.12.25) |

## Malaysia

| Indian Company   | Counterpart company   | Product   | Annual Quantity (MT)   | Duration (Years)               |
|------------------|-----------------------|-----------|------------------------|--------------------------------|
| PPL              | Itochu Corporation    | Ammonia   | 50,000 to 90,000       | 1 Year (01-01-25 to 31-12- 25) |

Annexure-II Annexure referred to in the reply to part (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question

## No. 482, to be answered on 27.03.2026

The list of major source countries with high import dependence:

| S. No   | Import from Globe for Bulk drugs and drug intermediates   | Value (in $ Mn)   |   Share (%) |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------|
| 1       | China                                                     | 3,204.67          |       73.71 |
| 2       | European Union                                            | 593.13            |       13.64 |
| 3       | Singapore                                                 | 108.27            |        2.49 |
| 4       | United States of America                                  | 85.18             |        1.96 |
| 5       | Japan                                                     | 78.97             |        1.82 |
| 6       | Switzerland                                               | 44.67             |        1.03 |
| 7       | Mexico                                                    | 34.79             |        0.8  |
| 8       | United Kingdom                                            | 33.25             |        0.76 |
| 9       | Hongkong                                                  | 22.99             |        0.53 |
| 10      | Malaysia                                                  | 22.37             |        0.51 |
| 11      | Others                                                    | 119.47            |        2.75 |
|         | Total                                                     | 4,347.75          |      100    |

Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS)

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