India Boosts African Fertilizer Imports Amid Hormuz Tensions: Trade Data
India Boosts African Fertilizer Imports Amid Hormuz Tensions: Trade Data
The South Asian country imported 2.5 million tonnes of urea in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, with African producers accounting for nearly half of total shipments, according to data released by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Key Details:
🟠Quarterly Imports: Egypt supplied 609,000 tonnes, followed by Algeria and Nigeria with 245,000 and 244,000 tonnes, respectively. None of the three African countries delivered any volumes during the same period a year earlier.
🟠Shift from Gulf: Strait of Hormuz blockages trapped up to 16 India-bound vessels earlier, forcing New Delhi to pivot away from its traditional reliance on the Gulf region (which usually supplies over 40% of its needs).
🟠Cost Pressures: Fertilizer prices have risen from approximately $30 to $45 per 45-kilogram bag. India's fertilizer ministry has proposed raising subsidies to $37.1 billion, up from $18.6 billion originally budgeted.
🟠Demand Outlook: India revised its annual consumption estimate downward to 38.39 million tonnes due to less favorable rainfall projections, with urea demand reduced from 19.4 to 19 million tonnes.
🟠Trade Context: In the fiscal year 2025-26, Nigeria delivered 447,090 tonnes, Algeria 217,059 tonnes, and Egypt 194,830 tonnes to India.
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