Domestic Urea Production Impacted by West Asia Crisis

31-Mar-2026 01:05 PM

New Delhi. The fierce ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel in West Asia is impacting the entire Arab region, and there are apprehensions that it could also affect urea production in India. The cultivation of Kharif crops is set to commence in two months—specifically from June 2026—and it is imperative to ensure an adequate stock of this critical chemical fertilizer within the country prior to that. The government is taking every possible measure to ensure the sufficient supply and availability of urea.

According to the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fertilizers, the months of April and May are crucial for accumulating urea stocks ahead of the start of the crop cycle, as consumption remains relatively low during this period.

During this window, efforts are typically made to boost stocks through substantial imports from abroad. However, the situation is different this time. The conflict between Iran and Israel has been raging for over a month, and there appear to be no signs of it ending in the near future.

Consequently, the adjacent maritime routes have become unsafe, disrupting the import of fertilizers—as well as the raw materials required for their manufacture—from countries in the Gulf region. A strict vigil is being maintained against the hoarding and black-marketing of fertilizers, while imports are simultaneously being ramped up through alternative routes.