Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 21: India’s fertiliser production witnessed a sharp decline of nearly 25 percent in March 2026, impacted by disruptions in natural gas supplies linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to official data.
The Ministry of Commerce said fertiliser output fell by 24.6 percent in March compared to the same month last year, reversing the steady growth recorded in recent months, including increases of 3.4 percent in February, 3.7 percent in January and 4.1 percent in December 2025.
The slump has been attributed to disruptions in natural gas imports, a key input used in the production of urea, a crucial fertiliser for India’s agriculture sector. The supply chain was hit after Iran moved to effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz following military tensions involving the United States and Israel.
The strategic waterway is a critical route through which a significant portion of global energy supplies and fertiliser-related inputs are transported. Nearly one-third of the world’s fertilisers typically pass through this corridor, making it highly sensitive to geopolitical developments.
India’s agriculture sector, which employs over 45 percent of the population, is heavily dependent on fertilisers, particularly during the Kharif sowing season in June-July and the Rabi season in October-November.
Despite the production decline, the Ministry of Petroleum has assured that adequate fertiliser stocks are available and that sourcing is being diversified across multiple countries to mitigate supply risks.
Earlier this month, the government increased fertiliser subsidies by 11 percent to shield farmers from rising global prices.
India remains dependent on imports for urea as well as key raw materials such as rock phosphate, phosphoric acid and potash, all essential for fertiliser production.
Global agencies, including the World Trade Organization, have warned that disruptions in fertiliser supply chains due to the conflict could pose serious risks to global food security.