Freeze ends, China to restart fertilizer supply to India soon

Shipments are set to arrive ahead of the rabi sowing season, when timely availability is critical

- Vijay C. Roy

After months of disruption in supply, India is set to receive consignments of specialty fertilizers from Beijing in the coming 20-25 days, following assurances by China's foreign minister Wang Yi during his recent visit. The move will ease supply disruptions and also signal warmer bilateral engagement.

Alongside specialty fertilizers used in high-value crops, India is also likely to receive urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) consignments from China within a fortnight, according to two people aware of the development.

The shipments are set to arrive ahead of the rabi sowing season, when timely fertilizer availability is critical, and are expected to ease pressure on supplies and prices for the farm sector.

During his India visit, China's foreign minister had given an assurance to mitigate concerns related to sectors including fertilizers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit later this month.