Even as farmers have been complaining of shortages of fertilisers, particularly urea and DAP, during the Kharif 2026 season, the government claims that all major fertilisers have been supplied in quantities well above demand. It also says substantial stocks are available across the country.
According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, between April 1 and July 21 this year, sales reached 97.98 lakh tonnes of urea, 23.52 lakh tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), 5.32 lakh tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) and 40.39 lakh tonnes of NPK fertilisers. As of July 21, the ministry claimed total fertiliser stocks of 139.34 lakh tonnes, comprising 68.79 lakh tonnes of urea, 16.77 lakh tonnes of DAP, 8.61 lakh tonnes of MOP and 45.17 lakh tonnes of NPK.
The ministry said that against the states' demand for 112.09 lakh tonnes of urea up to July 21, availability stood at 166.78 lakh tonnes. Similarly, DAP availability was 40.29 lakh tonnes against a demand of 32.35 lakh tonnes. MOP availability stood at 13.91 lakh tonnes against demand of 10.29 lakh tonnes, while NPK availability was 85.56 lakh tonnes compared with demand of 49.58 lakh tonnes.
In recent weeks, farmers in Uttar Pradesh and several other states have complained about shortages of urea and DAP. However, government data show that Uttar Pradesh has sold 17.36 lakh tonnes of urea so far and still has 16.30 lakh tonnes in stock. The state has also sold 3.45 lakh tonnes of DAP while maintaining stocks of 5.17 lakh tonnes.
In Haryana, urea sales stood at 7.31 lakh tonnes as of July 21, with stocks of 2.21 lakh tonnes. Punjab had sold 11.77 lakh tonnes of urea and still had 3.24 lakh tonnes in stock. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra each reported urea stocks of 5.45 lakh tonnes.
During the entire Kharif 2025 season, urea sales were 193.21 lakh tonnes against demand of 185.39 lakh tonnes, while availability stood at 230.51 lakh tonnes. DAP availability was 66.38 lakh tonnes against demand of 56.99 lakh tonnes, with sales of 46.33 lakh tonnes. MOP demand was 11.13 lakh tonnes, availability 18.08 lakh tonnes and sales 10.94 lakh tonnes. Likewise, NPK demand stood at 45.73 lakh tonnes, availability at 82.64 lakh tonnes and sales at 37.37 lakh tonnes.
The ministry said the country's total fertiliser requirement during 2025-26 was 677.18 lakh tonnes, about 4% higher than 649.43 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. To strengthen supplies this season, the government has procured 25 lakh tonnes of urea through global tenders in April and another 17.7 lakh tonnes in June. India's current domestic urea production capacity is 269.42 lakh tonnes. However, domestic production has also been affected by disruptions in raw material supplies due to the Iran war.
According to the Department of Fertiliser, urea prpduction during 2023-24 was record at 314.07 lakh tonnes. During 2025-26, 293.30 lakh tonnes of Urea was produced in the country.