World · India Bureau
India's fertiliser sales decline 10% amid weak monsoon rainfall
Domestic fertiliser demand in India contracted sharply in August, declining 10.33 per cent year-on-year as below-average monsoon precipitation dampened agricultural activity across the country. The slowdown coincides with a dramatic surge in global sulphur prices, which have surged 262 per cent compared to the same period last year.
LSN India ·
Fertiliser sales in India's domestic market fell to lower levels in August, reflecting the impact of deficient rainfall during the critical monsoon season. The 10.33 per cent contraction in sales volumes suggests farmers have curtailed their nutrient purchases, likely due to uncertain growing conditions and delayed planting schedules caused by erratic precipitation patterns.
The weakness in domestic demand arrives as global sulphur markets have experienced unprecedented volatility. International sulphur rates have climbed 262 per cent in August 2026 relative to August 2025, a dramatic surge that has implications for India's fertiliser manufacturing sector. Sulphur is a critical raw material in the production of phosphatic fertilisers, a key segment of India's fertiliser industry.
The combination of weak domestic demand and elevated input costs presents challenges for India's fertiliser sector at a time when agricultural productivity is already under pressure. Experts have attributed the monsoon shortfall to irregular weather patterns, with several regions across the country receiving below-normal rainfall during the peak agricultural season.
The fertiliser sales decline underscores the vulnerability of India's agriculture-dependent economy to climate variability. Industry observers are monitoring whether rainfall patterns improve in the coming weeks, which could provide relief to farmers and support a recovery in fertiliser demand as the monsoon season continues.