India's DAP Import from China: A Sharp Decline

India's import of Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) from China has significantly decreased, with imports falling from 22.28 lakh tonnes to 8.47 lakh tonnes. The reduction is attributed to China's amended export regulations and increased costs, impacting the availability and price of DAP in India.

The import of Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) from China to India has seen a dramatic decline, dropping to 97,000 tonnes in July, officials reported. DAP ranks as the second most consumed fertilizer in India, trailing only urea.

According to Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel, the DAP imports from China plummeted from approximately 22.28 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to about 8.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, as per data from fertiliser companies.

Citing reasons for this decrease, Patel noted that in October 2021, China implemented stricter regulations requiring additional inspections of fertilisers, including DAP. This regulatory change has pushed the Cost and Freight (CFR) price from USD 542 per tonne in April 2024 to USD 800 per tonne in July 2025, thereby affecting supply and affordability.