India Fertilizer Market Outlook, 2027-28

As we know, all the living organisms need food to survive similarly, plants can grow more efficiently with the use of fertilizer (with water). Fertilizers not only enhance the soil with vary numerous minerals and other elements but also aid the development of the plant. Fertilizers can be produced either synthetic or found natural that is commonly known as Chemical Fertilizer and Organic Fertilizer (Biofertilizer) respectively in commercialized world. They can be used either directly to the soil or mixed with the water/Aqueous solution. It is available in varied forms like solid (granular, powder etc.), liquid (by Irrigation or sprinkling) and gas (as NH3). Market has distinct types of fertilizers available specific to their need, so it is beneficial to have in-depth knowledge of their types before utilizing them.

The agricultural space in India (currently 60.3% around) is decreasing day by day, making it unavoidable to fertilize the agricultural land. Adding fertilizer guarantees the supply of necessary primary nutrient (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and secondary nutrient (Magnesium, Sulphur, Calcium) to provide nourishment to the plant by maintaining the soil fertility. The fertilizer is either made of individual nutrient or the composition of two or more. To avoid the deficiency of nutrients which results in Chlorosis, Necrosis, Delay in flowering, Stunted plant growth etc. fertilizers should be used.

Globally, India ranks first in the production of spices, pulses and milk, second in fruits and vegetables. India has the largest irrigated area which is around 96 Million hectare and it is the third largest wheat producing country. Gujarat is the largest producer of fertilizers which accounted for more than ¼ th of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizer. This is due to the presence of more than 14% of the total fertilizer factories located here, followed by Tamil Nadu. India’s first super-phosphate (SSP) factory was set up at Ranipet in Tamil Nadu in 1906. In 1951, the industry took a leap with the set-up of the ‘Sindri Plant by the Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCI-Noida). At present, India is the 3rd largest producer of nitrogenous fertilizer in the world. Pondicherry tops the chart in consumption of major fertilizers as compared to other Union Territories, followed by Telangana and Punjab states. The East India region has the lowest market share. In Biofertilizer, Mycorrhizal fungi takes away the minerals from organic matter for the plant, Cyanobacteria are characterized by the property of nitrogen fixation. The process of conversion of the atmospheric Nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds in soil ready for plant to absorb in series of reaction is termed as nitrogen fixation. Eco-friendly, biofertilizers are not substitution of fertilizers but can supplement plant nutrients.

According to the research report India Fertilizer Market Outlook, 2027-28” in spite India being an agricultural country, the fertilizer market is not growing exponentially. The Indian agriculture department contributes around 17-18% of GDP. The production of Indian agriculture is increased 11% in last 14 years. 58-60% of Indian Population is engaged in agriculture practice. India Fertilizer market has been divided into two main categories as per their origin/ source i.e. Chemical Fertilizer and Organic/Biofertilizer. The India Fertilizer Market is expected to grow with the CAGR of more than 9% in the forecast period of 2022-2028. The Bio-fertilizer segment is expected to grow tremendously in the forecast period. On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are in demand due to its low cost, fast productivity and government subsidy under the (nutrient based subsidy scheme) on the fertilizers like Urea, DAP, MOP etc.

The Chemical fertilizer are mainly sub-divided into three major nutrients from which Nitrogenous fertilizer has majority market share, followed by Phosphoric and Potash fertilizer. Indian Government had started the scheme NBS (the Centre fixed the NBS rates at Rs 18.79/kg for N, Rs 14.89/kg for P, Rs 10.12/kg for K and Rs 2.37/kg for S.) in order to avoid the use of imbalanced nutrients fertilizers like phosphorus and potassium. Urea market share is around three times of DAP market share which is anticipated to decrease given the different schemes & subsidies that are given to potash and phosphoric fertilizer. In India Organic (Bio)fertilizer are making a remarkable entry in the market to make its presence with chemical free fertilizer with the help of Fungi, bacteria, residue of food-materials, manure, bone-ash etc. At present, bio-fertilizer’s share isn’t noticeable as compared to chemical ones but it is expected to take a valuable market share in future with the growing trend of organically grown food.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the Indian fertilizer market is not very huge because the national government exempted (free from) this sector from lockdown restrictions. However, the sector faced challenges in shortage of labour and supply chain of raw materials being disturbed. Post pandemic the common people are moving towards hygienically produced food that will lead the market to its predominant growth rate.

• Major companies present in India fertilizer market are;

National Fertilizers Limited, Coromandel International Limited, Chambal Fertilizers, Smartchem Technologies Limited, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers, Kribhco Fertilizers Limited, Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC), Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, Rama Phosphates Ltd.

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC) will become the 1st company in India to manufacture indigenous Calcium Nitrate (CN-Water Soluble Fertilizer) under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ which is used all across the country.

Considered in this report:

• Geography : India
• Historical Years : 2016-17
• Base Year : FY 2021-22
• Estimated Year : FY 2022-23
• Forecast Year : FY 2027-28

Aspects covered in this report :

• India Fertilizer Market with its market size, by value, by volume, CAGR (Historic + Forecast) and forecast along with its segments
• Region wise fertilizer market share analysis
• India Fertilizer Market share by product
• By Majority Fertilizer Consumption - By Volume & By Value
• Formulation by type market share analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going change and developments functionally
• Five Force Model & SWOT analysis
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic Recommendation

Region covered in this report:

• North India
• East India
• South India
• West India

Types of fertilizers in this report:

• Chemical Fertilizer

I. Nitrogenous fertilizer (Urea, CN, AS etc.)

II. Phosphoric fertilizer (DAP, SSP etc.)

III. Potash fertilizer (MOP etc.)

IV. Others (NPKs, Complex, Micronutrient fertilizer)

• Biofertilizer / Organic

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to fertilizer industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.