The Impressive TimesNew Delhi July 9, 2025 —In the wake of an apparent disruption in India’s import of specialty fertilizers from China, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday asserted that India must not be vulnerable to any country’s export decisions and emphasized the need to establish resilient domestic supply chains in fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides.
Speaking at an industry interaction, Goyal said the Centre had successfully shielded Indian farmers from rising global prices by providing extensive subsidies and ensuring fertilizer affordability, despite global uncertainties.
“India should not be in trouble if any country decides to stop exporting fertilizers,” Goyal said, underlining the urgency of self-reliance in agricultural inputs.
Goyal’s remarks come amid growing concerns in the agriculture sector over a silent trade disruption by China, which has reportedly halted exports of specialty fertilizers to India for over two months without any formal ban.
According to top executives of importing companies, Chinese customs authorities have not been clearing India-bound shipments, while exports to other countries continue without hindrance.
“This time it is a complete halt,” said Rajib Chakraborty, President of the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA). “China has been restricting supplies for the past 4–5 years, but never like this.”
India imports nearly 80% of its specialty fertilizers—which include water-soluble nutrients, liquid foliar feeds, bio-stimulants, and controlled-release variants—from China. These fertilizers are essential for high-value crops like fruits and vegetables and are not part of the government’s subsidy program.
India typically imports 150,000 to 160,000 tonnes of these nutrients during the June–December cropping season. The current disruption poses a threat to yield outcomes and soil health improvements in precision and sustainable farming.
Until now, the low volume of consumption made domestic manufacturing economically unviable. However, rising demand is shifting the landscape.
“Specialty fertilizers are replacing traditional fertilizers, and their consumption is increasing,” Chakraborty said, noting a growing interest in local manufacturing.
Indian companies like Deepak Fertilisers, Paradeep Phosphates, and Nagarjuna Fertilisers are among those active in this space. More firms are now reportedly considering investments in domestic production units.
Goyal’s emphasis on supply chain diversification reflects the government’s broader push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). He reiterated the need for policy support, infrastructure, and investment to reduce reliance on unpredictable international partners.
“We have to future-proof our agriculture sector by ensuring that crucial inputs like specialty fertilizers are produced locally at scale,” the Minister added.
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