Extra gas lifts urea output by about 23%; fertiliser stocks higher ahead of Kharif 2026
The Department of Fertilizers said on 19 March 2026 that an extra 7.31 MMSCMD of spot gas secured through EPMC bidding raises gas supply to urea plants by 23% to 39.31 MMSCMD, lifting projected urea output from 54,500 to 67,000 tonnes a day.
Summary
The Department of Fertilizers concluded Empowered Pool Management Committee (EPMC) bidding for natural gas amid the West Asia situation, securing an additional 7.31 MMSCMD on a spot basis, it said on 19 March 2026. Gas supply to urea plants rises by 23%, from 32 to 39.31 MMSCMD, meeting 76% of their average need against 62% earlier, and domestic urea production is projected to climb from 54,500 to 67,000 tonnes a day. Stocks on 19 March 2026 were higher than a year earlier for urea (61.14 lakh tonnes vs 55.22) and DAP (24.24 vs 11.85), ahead of the Kharif 2026 season.
Key facts
- Extra gas
- 7.31 MMSCMD on spot basis via EPMC bidding
- Gas to urea plants
- 32 → 39.31 MMSCMD (+23%)
- Requirement met
- 76% (from 62%)
- Urea output
- 54,500 → 67,000 tonnes/day
- Urea stock 19.03.2026
- 61.14 LMT (55.22 LMT a year ago)
- DAP stock
- 24.24 LMT (11.85 LMT a year ago)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
After the EPMC gas bidding of March 2026, total gas supply to urea plants rose from 32 MMSCMD to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 39.31 MMSCMD
An additional 7.31 MMSCMD of spot gas raised supply to urea plants by 23%, from 32 to 39.31 MMSCMD.
Consider the following about fertiliser supply as of 19 March 2026: 1. DAP stocks were lower than on the same date in 2025. 2. Domestic urea production is projected to rise from 54,500 to 67,000 tonnes a day. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: DAP stocks more than doubled to 24.24 LMT from 11.85 LMT. Statement 2 is correct.