Speciality Fertilisers | 07 Nov 2025

Source: TH 

India is bracing for higher fertiliser prices ahead of the crucial Rabi crop season due to China's suspension of Urea and Speciality Fertiliser exports. 

Speciality Fertilisers 

• About: Speciality fertilisers are advanced formulations beyond basic NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur), including water-soluble, slow or controlled-release, and micronutrient-based products that enhance nutrient efficiency and crop-specific performance. 
• Examples: Chelated micronutrients (Fe-EDTA, Zn-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA), water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃); and stabilised nitrogen fertilisers with urease inhibitors (NBPT). 
• Uses: 
  • For high‐value crops (fruits, vegetables, flowers) and horticulture. 
  • For soils with specific deficiencies or in micro‐nutrient‐deficient zones (zinc, boron, etc).  
  • For precision agriculture and improved nutrient-use efficiency. 
• India & Speciality Fertilisers:  
  • India currently imports about 95% of its speciality fertilisers-mainly water-soluble and advanced formulations, due to limited domestic R&D, raw material shortages, and China’s market dominance. 
  • India has recently initiated its first indigenous water-soluble fertiliser production and secured supply contracts with Russia, Jordan, Israel, and Morocco to curb excessive dependence on China. 
• Market Size: The global speciality fertilisers market is projected to reach $63 billion by 2035, while India’s market is expected to grow to $5–6 billion by 2030, backed by sustainable agricultural practices.