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New Delhi: In a major development, China has stopped the supply of certain specialty fertilizers to India. These fertilizers are used to boost the yield of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. According to the reports quoting the officials from several importing companies, China has suspended this supply for the past two months. It is important to note that China is a major global supplier of agricultural inputs. The issue is that it has stopped supplying these specialty fertilizers only to India, while continuing exports to other countries. To recall, China had earlier stopped the supply of rare earth magnets to India.
India imports nearly 80 percent of its specialty fertilizers from China. Rajib Chakraborty, President of the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), said, “China has been disrupting the supply of specialty fertilizers to India for the past four to five years. But this time, it has completely stopped it.”
Before fertilizers are dispatched from Chinese factories, they must be inspected by the Chinese government. Experts say that China is deliberately not inspecting fertilizers bound for India. It is using various indirect methods to halt exports without officially imposing a ban.
Not only fertilizers, China is also restricting the export of certain specific raw materials. Many believe that these steps are taken in response to tariffs and other restrictions. The Indian government has made it mandatory for investments coming from China to receive government approval. This is directly impacting China.
There have been clashes at the border, and China has supported Pakistan. These are also among the reasons why China has taken such steps.
India does not yet have the technology to manufacture specialty fertilizers. Until now, the demand for these fertilizers was low, so setting up manufacturing plants in India wasn’t profitable for companies. However, Chakravarty said that specialty fertilizers are now beginning to replace primary fertilizers, leading to increased consumption. He also mentioned that several companies are now showing interest in setting up manufacturing units.
Meanwhile, India can also explore other options for importing these fertilizers. A senior official from a multinational fertilizer company said that fertilizers can also be sourced from other countries such as Jordan and those in Europe. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these chemicals reach India on time. Urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash are considered general-purpose fertilizers and are used for a variety of crops. In contrast, specialty fertilizers are designed for specific needs.
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