Government cuts Kharif fertiliser demand estimate on weak monsoon outlook

NEW DELHI: India estimates a lower fertiliser consumption during the Kharif sowing season in the light of IMD’s forecast of below normal monsoon, a top govt official said on Monday, adding the demand for urea is now estimated at 190 lakh tonnes against the earlier projection of 194 lakh tonnes.

The demand of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) — another key soil nutrient — has been lowered to 60 lakh tonnes against the earlier estimate of 66 lakh tonnes.

Aparna Sharma, additional secretary in fertiliser department, said that considering the El Nino effect, the department had requested the agriculture ministry for a reassessment of requirements. She added that based on regular interaction of the ministry with states, it has informed about the reduction in demand of urea and DAP.

The official also said govt has floated a second global tender for import of 17 lakh tonnes of urea, despite a sharp rise in global prices to boost domestic supplies for the Kharif season. Sharma said the global price of urea has increased from $447 per tonne in Feb to $947 per tonne.

Meanwhile, officials from the consumer affairs and food departments said that there is surplus stock of rice, wheat and pulses to meet domestic demand and for market intervention.

Anupam Mishra, additional secretary in consumer affairs department, said the buffer stock of pulses with govt is around 43 lakh tonnes, more than double the stocks recorded in May 2025.

He added production of major horticultural crops like potato, tomato and onion are enough to meet domestic demand — potato production is at 584 lakh tonnes against 586 lakh tonnes last crop year; tomato at 227 lakh tonnes against 205 lakh tonnes last year; and onion at 273 lakh tonnes against 307 lakh tonnes last year.

Govt has also set a target to create a buffer stock of 2 lakh tonnes of onion in 2026-27.

Food department officials said that as of May 2026, wheat stock in the central pool was 513 lakh tonnes, which is almost double of the prescribed buffer norm for July 1. Wheat procurement during the current Rabi marketing season has reached approximately 350 lakh tonnes and procurement operations continue up to June 30.

The rice stock in the central pool is at 397 lakh tonnes, almost three times more than the required buffer stock for July 1.