Reuters: India is negotiating with Russia, Belarus, and Morocco to expand fertilizer imports
As one of the world's largest fertilizer importers, India is negotiating with Russia, Belarus, and Morocco to expand fertilizer supplies, against the backdrop of tense Middle East situation and China tightening export restrictions.
Currently, India's fertilizer inventory is higher than the same period last year, but the government hopes to avoid shortages before the summer sowing season in June-July. India is actively purchasing urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and potassium chloride, with large quantities expected to arrive between March and May.
The Indian government also considers Indonesia as a backup supplier. The focus is on urea supply: natural gas, as a raw material for nitrogen fertilizers, has unstable supply that has affected production. Although factory gas use has been prioritized (no less than 70% of average usage), the supply from Qatar has been blocked due to the threat posed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
Global urea supply is tightening, with prices rising from $425 per ton to $600 per ton. Indian companies import independently but negotiate collectively; fertilizers are sold to farmers at subsidized prices.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860105818027008/
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