During April–December 2025, India’s fertiliser sector demonstrated coordinated supply planning to ensure timely nutrient availability across the rabi season. Urea sales increased by 3.8 per cent to 31.16 million tonnes, supported by higher imports alongside domestic production of 22.44 million tonnes. Meanwhile, DAP sales moderated to 8.00 million tonnes even as imports rose to 5.95 million tonnes, sustaining phosphatic nutrient availability. At the same time, NP/NPK and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) recorded higher production, reflecting continued diversification within the fertiliser basket.
Overview: Fertiliser Trends for April–December 2025
The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) released provisional data on fertiliser production, imports and sales for April–December 2025. The dataset covers key fertilisers, including urea, DAP, MOP, complex fertilisers and SSP. Importantly, the figures highlight cumulative trends for the fertiliser year to date as well as recent movements during the rabi season. Together, these trends underline how domestic production and calibrated imports aligned to maintain steady fertiliser availability.
Complex Fertilisers (NP/NPK): Strengthening Availability for Balanced Nutrition
During April–December 2025, production of NP and NPK fertilisers (excluding DAP) increased by 13.1 per cent to 9.27 million tonnes. At the same time, imports rose sharply by 121.8 per cent to 3.29 million tonnes. Despite this expansion in supply, sales remained broadly stable at 11.74 million tonnes.
This pattern signals a deliberate effort to strengthen the availability of complex fertilisers. By doing so, the sector supported balanced nutrient application across diverse cropping systems rather than responding only to short-term demand fluctuations.
According to Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, Chairman, FAI, the April–December 2025 data illustrates how the fertiliser sector balanced domestic production with calibrated imports to ensure uninterrupted nutrient availability. He emphasised that maintaining stable supplies across nutrients throughout the fertiliser year, including the rabi season, remains essential for timely farmer access.
Urea: Higher Sales Backed by Domestic Output and Imports
Urea sales during April–December 2025 rose by 3.8 per cent to 31.16 million tonnes, compared with 30.02 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year. Domestic production reached 22.44 million tonnes, while imports increased significantly by 85.3 per cent to 8.00 million tonnes.
As a result, coordinated supply planning helped reinforce urea availability during peak crop nutrition months. This alignment ensured that higher demand did not translate into supply constraints, as per The Press Release issued by FAI.
DAP: Import Support Offsets Moderated Offtake
DAP production during April–December 2025 stood at 3.03 million tonnes, marking a marginal decline of 3.9 per cent year-on-year. However, imports increased by 45.7 per cent to 5.95 million tonnes. Consequently, sales settled at 8.00 million tonnes, slightly lower than 8.33 million tonnes in the same period last year.
Despite moderated offtake, import volumes played a critical role in sustaining phosphatic nutrient availability and preventing supply disruptions.
MOP: Calibrated Imports Maintain Potassic Availability
MOP imports during April–December 2025 declined to 2.14 million tonnes from 2.76 million tonnes a year earlier. Nevertheless, sales increased by 5.3 per cent to 1.77 million tonnes.
This outcome reflects calibrated import planning that aligned potassic nutrient availability with cropping requirements during the fertiliser year to date.
SSP: Indigenous Phosphatic Supply Gains Momentum
Single Super Phosphate (SSP) continued to strengthen its role in the fertiliser mix. Production increased by 10.3 per cent to 4.43 million tonnes during April–December 2025, while sales rose by 13.1 per cent to 4.71 million tonnes.
The parallel rise in production and sales highlights the growing contribution of indigenous phosphatic fertilisers in supporting diversified and region-specific nutrient needs.
Evolving Nutrient Mix Supports Balanced Fertilisation
Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General of FAI, noted that the data reflects a gradual shift towards more balanced fertilisation practices. While nitrogen continues to account for a significant share of fertiliser use, steady utilisation of phosphatic, potassic and complex fertilisers indicates closer alignment between nutrient application, crop requirements and soil conditions.
This evolution reinforces the importance of sustained focus on balanced nutrient management to support long-term soil health and agricultural productivity.
Key Insights: Fertiliser Performance Snapshot
FAI data comparing April–December 2025 with the same period in 2024 shows that imports increasingly supplemented domestic output, particularly for urea and DAP. Meanwhile, higher production of NP/NPK and SSP strengthened nutrient diversity, while calibrated MOP imports supported steady sales growth.
Outlook: Sustaining Alignment Through the Rabi Season
As fertiliser planning continues through the remainder of the rabi season, aligning nitrogen, phosphatic and potassic nutrients with crop and soil needs will remain central to efficient fertiliser use. FAI reiterated that coordinated production planning, calibrated imports and stronger indigenous nutrient options together advance the broader goal of balanced fertilisation.
Going forward, the Association will continue to engage with stakeholders across the value chain to promote evidence-based nutrient management practices that enhance soil health, improve nutrient use efficiency and support sustainable agricultural productivity.
