After auto industry, Chinese curbs hurt India’s agriculture sector

China has halted shipments of specialty fertilisers used to increase the yields of fruits, vegetables and other remunerative crops to India for the past two months, according to top executives of several large importers. China, a global supplier of agricultural inputs, continues to export them to other nations.India imports about 80% of its supplies of these chemicals from China.“China has been restricting suppliers of specialty fertilisers to India for the past four to five years. However, this time it is a complete halt,” said Rajib Chakraborty, president, Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association (SFIA).Shipments from factories are subject to inspections by the Chinese government.It has not been inspecting shipments meant for India, using various procedures to block exports without imposing an express ban, said people with knowledge of the matter.China has been restricting the export of key raw materials such as rare earth magnets in apparent retaliation for tariffs and other curbs.India mandates government approval for investment by countries that have a border with it, specifically aimed at its northern neighbour.That’s against the backdrop of an escalation in tensions between the two over the past five years, including border skirmishes and China’s support for Pakistan.Specialty fertilisers are non-subsidised soil nutrients. These include water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) and liquid fertilisers for foliar and fertigation, controlled release fertilisers (CRFs), slow-release fertilisers (SRFs), micronutrient fertilisers, fortified fertilisers, customised fertilisers, nano fertilisers, bio-stimulants, organic and other value-added and innovative fertilisers. India typically imports 150,000-160,000 tonnes of specialty fertilisers in the June-December period, according to some industry estimates.In India, the market for micronutrient fertilisers is expected to cross $1bn by 2029 at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 9.2%, according to the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI).Indian biostimulants are expected to grow to $734mn by 2029, a CAGR of 15.6% while the organic fertiliser market is predicted to increase to $1.13bn by 2032, a CAGR of 7%, according to FAI.These fertilisers enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and optimise nutrient use efficiency, often reducing environmental impact compared to traditional fertilisers.All top fertiliser companies such as Deepak Fertilisers, Paradeep Fertilisers and Nagarjuna Fertiliser Company operate in this segment.India does not have the technology to produce specialty fertilisers as volumes until now have been low, making it unviable for companies to set up manufacturing facilities locally.“However, specialty fertilisers are now replacing primary fertilisers, thereby increasing their consumption volume,” Chakraborty said, adding that a large number of companies are now interested in setting up manufacturing units.In the meantime, India can also explore other options for importing these fertilisers.“While alternative destinations such as Jordan and Europe can be explored, the challenge is to land these chemicals in time,” said a senior official of a multinational fertiliser company.While urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) are considered commodity fertilisers with broader applications, specialty fertilisers offer targeted nutrient delivery and formulation for specific needs.