Import dependence to rise for urea over next three years; capacity additions need of the hour
Thematic Report
11 Feb 2026
With
continued growth in urea consumption in the country, the dependence on imports
is expected to go up over the next few years necessitating capacity additions. Given
the need for capacity additions, clarity on continuation of New Investment
Policy-2012 (NIP-2012) is required for the urea plants that may be setup going
forward to ensure adequate credit profile as the setting up of plant entails
sizeable investment.
·Urea
consumption has increased at a CAGR of 3.4% during FY2016 to FY2025 and is
expected to grow at a similar pace over next five years. The consumption growth
is supported by continued price differential with other fertilisers and
farmers’ affinity due to greening effect of urea.
Domestic production
had witnessed a 7.62-MMT increase from FY2019 to FY2025 with several new plants
coming up under the New Investment Policy-2012 (NIP-2012). However, recently
with the closure of two plants, the domestic production capacity has been
limited at 30.6 MMTPA, indicating a significant shortfall against a urea demand
of ~38 MMT in FY2025.