DR ‹ › India is looking to increase fertilizer imports from Morocco, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and China's export restrictions threaten global supply ahead of the summer planting season. According to government and industry sources cited by Reuters, Thursday, New Delhi is seeking to secure additional shipments in the coming months to avoid shortages. «We've got more stocks than last year, but if the war goes on longer, things could get tight», a government source said, adding: «So we're in touch with Russia and others to bring in more supplies over the next few months.» Authorities say there are no immediate shortages but remain cautious ahead of peak demand in June and July. «Just before the war, there was ample urea on the world market… Now supplies are tight, and prices have risen above $600», a Mumbai-based industry official noted. Morocco, a key global supplier of phosphate-based fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate (DAP), is expected to play a role in diversifying India's sourcing strategy as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on the Middle East, which currently accounts for roughly half of its imports. India is not the only country turning to Morocco for fertilizers amid the current war with Iran. The United States announced earlier this week that it is also exploring alternative sources, including Morocco, due to supply disruptions linked to the conflict. For the record, global fertilizer supplies have tightened following disruptions to key nitrogen exports from the Gulf, pushing prices up by more than one-third in recent weeks.
