India Fertilizer Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

India Fertilizer Market was valued at USD 41.2 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 70.2 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2023 – 2032.

Fertilizer is a mixture of substances that is applied to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients for their growth and development. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other elements necessary for plants.

Fertilizers are used in agriculture and gardening to enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth, leading to increased crop yields. They can be organic or synthetic, and their composition is designed to supplement the nutrients for plants.

Fertilizers play a crucial role in modern agriculture by supporting the efficient and sustainable production of food crops.

India Fertilizer Market – Significant Growth Factors

Government initiatives to accelerate fertilizer manufacturing in India

Government policies and subsidies have a substantial impact on the fertilizer market in India. Various government initiatives aimed at supporting farmers, such as subsidies on fertilizers, play a crucial role in driving fertilizer consumption. India ranks third place in the world’s overall fertilizer production, second in nitrogen fertilizers, and third in phosphate fertilizers.

Moreover, about 25% of GDP market capitalization is from fertilizers. At present, 57 fertilizer units are manufacturing a wide number of nitrogen fertilizers. These include 29 urea-producing units and 9 ammonia sulfate-producing units as a by-product.

Besides, there are 64 small-scale producing units of single super phosphate. For instance, in 2020, the government launched the PLI (production-linked incentives) scheme to promote domestic agrochemicals manufacturing and in 2021, the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme for fertilizer subsidy.

Rising agricultural activities

The growth of the fertilizer market in India is closely tied to the demand from the agricultural sector. With a significant portion of India’s population engaged in agriculture, the increasing need for food production led to a higher demand for fertilizers.

Furthermore, to enhance crop yields and improve agricultural productivity, fertilizers are essential nutrients to the soil. The push for higher food production to meet the needs of a growing population contributes to the demand for fertilizers.

For instance, in January 2021, Smartchem Technologies Limited partnered with AgroStar, facilitating direct delivery of specialized fertilizers to farmers in Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh.

Market Restraints

Subsidy burden and fiscal pressures

The government provides subsidies on fertilizers to ensure their accessibility and affordability for farmers. However, the financial burden of these subsidies can strain government budgets. Frequent changes in subsidy rates and delays in subsidy payments lead to fiscal pressures on the government.

Subsidies can account for a significant portion of the total cost of fertilizers, and managing these subsidies becomes crucial for maintaining fiscal discipline. Inefficiencies or delays in subsidy disbursement affect the financial health of fertilizer companies and impact their ability to invest in research, development, and infrastructure.

The subsidy burden also affects the overall economic health of the country, and finding a sustainable and efficient mechanism for subsidy management is essential to balance the interests of farmers, fertilizer manufacturers, and the government.

Addressing issues related to subsidy management and finding a balanced approach that ensures affordability for farmers while maintaining fiscal sustainability is a key challenge for the fertilizer market in India.

Ongoing efforts to reform subsidy mechanisms, improve transparency, and streamline subsidy disbursement processes are critical for overcoming this restraint and promoting the sustainable growth of the fertilizer sector.

Stringent rules for approval of Fertilizer

Stringent regulatory requirements are a barrier to the India Fertilizer market as they are restraining the development and introduction of new products and technologies. Some of the factors contributing to this reluctance are:

• Environmental Impact Assessment: Regulatory agencies often evaluate the potential environmental impact of fertilizers. This includes assessing factors such as nutrient runoff, groundwater contamination, and soil degradation. Fertilizers with excessive environmental risks may face restrictions or be denied approval.

• Safety and Handling Guidelines: Regulations may specify safety measures for the production, transportation, and handling of fertilizers. This includes guidelines for packaging, storage, and transportation to minimize the risk of accidents, spills, or other safety hazards.

• Chemical Composition and Formulation: Fertilizers must adhere to specified standards regarding their chemical composition and formulation. This ensures that the nutrients provided by the fertilizer are accurately labelled, and the product meets the nutritional requirements of crops without causing harm to the environment.

Market Opportunities

Escalating awareness of sustainable agriculture practices

Growing awareness of environmental issues, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss, has prompted a shift toward sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers and stakeholders recognize the need to minimize negative environmental impacts associated with conventional farming.

The availability of new technologies and innovations in agriculture supports the adoption of sustainable practices. Precision farming, agroecology, and agroforestry are examples of approaches that integrate technology with sustainable principles.

Moreover, the rapid advancements in agricultural technology and precision farming led to more efficient fertilizer application methods. These innovations increase the effectiveness of fertilizers. Besides, government subsidies and incentives encourage farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices.

India Fertilizer Market Segmentation Analysis

India Fertilizer market is segmented by type, form, application mode, application and region.  Based on type, the market is classified into chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer. Chemical fertilizer dominated the market in 2022 with a market share of 85% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2024-2032.

Chemical fertilizers drive the Indian fertilizer market by providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to crops, enhancing soil fertility and significantly boosting agricultural productivity.

As a key input in modern farming, chemical fertilizers address nutrient deficiencies, leading to increased crop yields. The growing demand for food production to meet the needs of India’s large population propels the India fertilizer market.

Despite efforts to promote organic alternatives, chemical fertilizers remain pivotal in ensuring food security and sustaining the nation’s agricultural growth.

Based on form, the market is classified into dry and liquid. Dry fertilizers dominated the market in 2022 with a market share of 70% and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period 2024-2032. Dry fertilizers are commonly used fertilizers.

Dry fertilizers are best suited for slow-release formulations because they are absorbed more slowly by plants and must first be broken down. Because they do not “settle out” over time or in cold weather, these fertilizers are less expensive and easier to store.

This is one of the reasons for the fertilizer market growth. Dry fertilizers play a pivotal role in driving the Indian fertilizer market across various end-user industries. Agriculture, being the primary consumer, relies on dry fertilizers for enhancing soil fertility and promoting robust crop growth.

The versatility of dry fertilizers, including nitrogen-based, phosphatic, and potassic variants, caters to the diverse nutrient requirements of different crops. This demand is further fuelled by the growing population’s need for increased food production.

Additionally, the ease of storage, transportation, and application of dry fertilizers makes them preferred by farmers, contributing significantly to sustained growth in the agricultural sector and the overall fertilizer market in India.

Based on application mode, the market is classified into fertigation, foliar and soil. The soil segment dominated the market in 2022 with a market share of 70% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2024-2032.

In India, the application mode of fertilizers, particularly through various soil application methods, significantly drives the fertilizer market. Precision in soil nutrient management, including methods like broadcast application, band placement, and deep placement, enhances the efficiency of fertilizer utilization.

Customizing fertilizer applications to suit different crops and soil types optimizes nutrient absorption, fostering sustainable agriculture. Government initiatives promoting balanced and judicious fertilizer use, coupled with farmer education on soil health, influence the market dynamics.

The strategic adoption of soil-specific application modes is instrumental in maximizing crop yields, mitigating environmental impact, and sustaining the growth of the fertilizer market in India.

Based on application, the market is segmented into grains & cereals, oilseeds, fruits & vegetables, and others. Grains & Cereals held the largest share in 2022, driving the India fertilizer market. The demand for fertilizers is inherently tied to the cultivation of staples like rice, wheat, and maize.

Farmers rely on fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and maximize yields, ensuring consistent production of essential grains. Government initiatives to boost agricultural productivity further amplify the role of fertilizers in grain cultivation.

As the population grows, the reliance on grains and cereals for nutrition propels the fertilizer market, and creates a synergetic relationship between food crops and the agricultural input industry in India.

Report Scope

India Fertilizer Market Regional Insight

By region, India Fertilizer market is segmented into South India, North India, West India and East India. North India dominated the global market in 2022 with a market share of 40% in 2022 and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2024-2032.

North India holds the dominant position due to its extensive agricultural land and established farming practices. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are major contributors. These states are major contributors to national food production, relying heavily on fertilizers to enhance crop yields.

The Green Revolution, which started in Punjab and Haryana, emphasized intensive fertilizer use. The fertile soil and extensive cultivation in Uttar Pradesh further amplify fertilizer demand.

The agriculture-centric economies of these states, characterized by large-scale farming, underscore their substantial impact on driving the demand for fertilizers in India.

List of the prominent players in the India Fertilizer Market:

• Coromandel International Limited
• Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited
• Fertilizers And Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT)
• Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited
• Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC)
• Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)
• Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL)
• Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
• Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)
• Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited
• MADRAS FERTILIZERS LIMITED
• Paradeep Phosphates Ltd
• Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd
• National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
• Madras Fertilizers Ltd
• Tata Chemicals Limited
• Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd
• Meerut Agro Chemicals Private Limited
• Godavari Fertilizers & Chemical Limited
• Ajay Farm-Chem Private Limited
• Karnataka Agro Chemicals
• Others

The India Fertilizer Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Organic Fertilizer
• Chemical Fertilizer

By Form

• Dry
• Liquid

By Application Mode

• Fertigation
• Foliar
• Soil

By Application

• Grains & Cereals
• Oilseeds
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Others