In response to commerce ministry information cited by Mint, India imported 2.5 million tonnes of urea within the first quarter of the present monetary 12 months, with Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Georgia accounting for 52% of the whole.
Egypt provided 609,000 tonnes, adopted by Algeria with 245,000 tonnes and Nigeria with 244,000 tonnes, whereas Georgia shipped 211,000 tonnes.
Collectively, the three African nations provided almost 1.1 million tonnes, marking a pointy improve from the identical quarter a 12 months earlier, when India imported no urea from any of the 4 nations.
The rise additionally highlights Africa’s rising function in India’s fertiliser market, the place main producers embrace MOPCO and Abu Qir in Egypt, Sorfert and AOA in Algeria, and Dangote Fertiliser and Indorama Eleme in Nigeria.
Hormuz disruption accelerates sourcing shift
Notably, the diversification has been accelerated by disruptions across the Strait of Hormuz, one of many world’s most necessary delivery routes for fertilisers and vitality merchandise.
India has historically relied closely on Gulf suppliers, sourcing greater than 40% of its urea and phosphatic fertiliser imports from the area, making it weak to disruptions within the Strait of Hormuz.
As tensions within the Persian Gulf affected vessel actions, freight prices and supply schedules, New Delhi moved to safe different provides from Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria, alongside a number of Asian and European markets.
India additionally continued receiving some Gulf-linked cargoes after vessels carrying urea, diammonium phosphate and sulphur crossed the strait, however the disruption bolstered efforts to scale back dependence on a slim group of suppliers.
Africa good points floor in India’s fertiliser market
The newest purchases construct on a broader rise in African shipments to India.
Through the 2025-26 monetary 12 months, Nigeria provided 447,090 tonnes of urea, whereas Algeria exported 217,059 tonnes and Egypt shipped 194,830 tonnes.
Along with Georgia, the 4 nations accounted for 8.8% of India’s 11.2 million tonnes of urea imports.
Regardless of working 33 urea crops with a mixed capability of 26.9 million tonnes, India nonetheless imports about 20% of its annual necessities, making a wider opening for African producers.
Greater costs improve subsidy burden
India is dealing with a pointy rise in fertiliser prices because it broadens its provider base.
The nation’s fertiliser ministry has proposed rising authorities subsidies to ₹3.54 trillion ($37.1 billion), from the ₹1.77 trillion ($18.6 billion) initially budgeted, amid increased world costs and geopolitical tensions.
The subsidy invoice had already risen above ₹2.17 trillion ($22.8 billion) within the 2025-26 monetary 12 months.
In the meantime, market information present that the worth of a 45kg bag of fertiliser has climbed from ₹2,900 ($30) to ₹4,300 ($45).
India trims demand forecast
On the identical time, India has lowered its fertiliser demand forecast after weaker rainfall expectations, slicing total necessities for the present kharif season to 38.39 million tonnes from 39.05 million tonnes and decreasing projected urea demand by about 400,000 tonnes to 19 million tonnes.
Regardless of the decrease forecast, Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria are gaining a stronger foothold in India’s fertiliser market as New Delhi reduces its publicity to provide dangers concentrated within the Center East.
