Overview
- The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said four vessels that crossed the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week are en route to Krishnapatnam, Kakinada, Paradeep and Mundra carrying roughly 0.18 million tonnes of urea, DAP and sulphur for offloading.
- India reported cumulative fertiliser stocks of 196.08 lakh tonnes as of June 22 and expects the arriving cargoes to top up buffers for the ongoing Kharif sowing season.
- New procurement and sourcing moves have increased supplies: domestic production rose to 133.12 lakh tonnes since March 1, imports totalled 43.69 lakh tonnes, and a recent tender contracted 17.70 lakh tonnes of urea, taking secured urea and P&K supplies above 90 lakh tonnes.
- Market pressure on prices is easing as fresh shipments arrive and recent tender bids showed much lower landed urea costs of about $445 per tonne compared with earlier bids near $935–$959 per tonne.
- Normal trade is not fully restored because key navigation lanes still face mine and safety risks, so authorities are prioritising essential cargoes and warning that a phased clearance will determine how quickly full commercial traffic resumes.