India in talks with Russia, Belarus, Morocco to increase fertilizer supplies

MOSCOW. March 20 (Interfax) - India is holding negotiations with Russia, Belarus and Morocco on increasing fertilizer supplies, as it is concerned about a shortage due to the conflict in the Middle East and the reduction of Chinese exports, The Economic Times reported, citing sources.

Middle Eastern countries account for about half of India's diammonium phosphate (DAP and urea imports. The country's largest suppliers of DAP and urea are usually Saudi Arabia and Oman, respectively.

India now has larger stocks of fertilizer than last year, but if the conflict in the Middle East drags on supplying farmers ahead of summer planting could become problematic, so India is discussing the possibility of increasing supplies in the coming months with Russia and other countries, an Indian government source told the publication.

India increased imports of Russian fertilizer by 41% to 6.5 million tonnes in 2025, according to the country's Trade and Industry Ministry. India's total fertilizer imports jumped 45% to over 27.4 million tonnes last year. Russia became the largest supplier, followed by China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Oman.