India Shifts Fertiliser, Pharma Supply Lines Away From Hormuz

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda acknowledged Saturday that the West Asia crisis has disrupted global supply chains for fertilisers and pharmaceuticals. He said the government has secured alternative sources and built enough stock to prevent shortages for farmers and patients.

Nadda spoke in Shimla as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz threaten the sea route through which India imports roughly 55% of its fertiliser needs and a large share of bulk drug intermediates. The strait sees passage of about 20 million barrels of oil a day plus significant volumes of LNG and chemical raw materials. India's fertiliser import dependence is concentrated on urea, di-ammonium phosphate and potash. A prolonged closure would push up input costs for domestic producers and delay shipments during the ongoing Kharif sowing season.