Lok Sabha Question No. 1000 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Import of Fertilizers from China
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1000 TO BE ANSWERED ON

## Import of Fertilizers from China

## 1000.  SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

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

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  India  imports  about  Ninety  five  percent  of specialty fertilizers, including phosphates like TMAP and urea emission control fluids like AdBlue, from China, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that China has closed the export window of these products from October 15, 2025 and the suspension will be for the next 5-6 months, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that the closure of export of specialty fertilizers by China will cause higher fertilizer prices in the country ahead of the crucial rabi crop season; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a): In  Fertilizer  Control  Order, 1985  no fertilizer  is  classified  as  specialty fertilizer. However, 100 % water soluble complex fertilizer and 100 % water soluble mixture of fertilizer categories are there. The Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Training Institute (CFQC&TI) through Fertilizer Inspectors draws the samples of imported fertilizers at

: 05.12.2025

various ports and based on the inspection made by the institute during the last four years, the data on the water soluble fertilizer imported from China are given below:

## (Quantity in MT)

|   S. No | Year    | Total Import   | Import from China   |   %of import from China |
|---------|---------|----------------|---------------------|-------------------------|
|       1 | 2021-22 | 1,98,234.724   | 1,19,363.778        |                   60.21 |
|       2 | 2022-23 | 2,09,575.573   | 1,28,850.823        |                   61.48 |
|       3 | 2023-24 | 2,07,979.400   | 1,22,918.350        |                   59.1  |
|       4 | 2024-25 | 2,60,636.814   | 1,71,093.710        |                   65.65 |

(b) to (d): Specialty Fertilizers are not covered under ambit of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme administered by  Department of  Fertilizers  and  therefore,  Specialty Fertilizers are not subsidized. Fertilizer companies are free to import these fertilizers as per the market dynamics. Over the past few months, China has reportedly withheld export of specialty fertilizers to India and the Indian companies are sourcing Water Soluble Fertilizers from alternative suppliers in Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Morocco & USA to offset the shortfall caused by reduced imports from China.

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  bio-fertilizers enriched  with  micronutrients,  including  zinc-solubilizing  bacteria.  These  researchbased innovations are helping India move towards self-reliance in nutrient management,  reduce  import dependency,  and  ensure  sustainable agricultural productivity.

Also, ICAR through institutes like IISS-Bhopal, IARI-Delhi, and IIHR-Bengaluru, has developed and validated technologies such as nano fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, and customized nutrient blends. These efforts are supported by initiatives like Soil TestBased Fertilizer Recommendations and Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) which supports a holistic Integrated Nutrient Management Strategy.

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