NPKs
Overview
The global market for compound NPKs is one of the most important and dynamic markets in the fertilizer sector. Greater agricultural sophistication is bringing an increasing variety of grades to the market. Producers are also striving to move from commodity grades, such as 15-15-15, to more specific formulations (often tailored to specific customer needs) to increase nutrient-use efficiency and capture market share.
The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has also seen major shifts in trade flows, given Russia’s significant compound-NPK capacity, and Russian-origin product has long been seen as a benchmark for high-quality NPKs.
Argus has decades of experience covering the NPKs market. We incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including nitrogen, phosphates, potash and sulphur to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Argus NPKs: Weekly NPKs price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
- Bespoke NPKs consulting project support
Latest NPKs news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global NPKs industry.
India plans joint buying of fertilizers, raw materials
India plans joint buying of fertilizers, raw materials
London, 24 April (Argus) — India's fertilizer ministry has recommended that national fertilizer companies begin buying fertilizers and raw materials on a collective rather than individual basis. The ministry calls for a three-month period during which Indian fertilizer producers should join together as a consortium, aggregating their demand to ensure supply and competitive prices of key fertilizers such as DAP, MOP and NPS/NPKs as well as raw materials ammonia, sulphur, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and phosphate rock. The first step in this regard was taken on Friday, when IPL issued a tender to buy 1.6mn t of DAP and TSP on behalf of the industry — the same approach as has been taken with urea imports for many years. India has struggled to secure sufficient supply of these products following the closure of the strait of Hormuz. The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on the chemicals and fertilizers ministry to impose a minimum six-month ban on exports of elemental sulphur. By Bede Heren Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India’s NFL seeks DAP, TSP, NPK, NPS suppliers
India’s NFL seeks DAP, TSP, NPK, NPS suppliers
London, 16 April (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer and producer NFL has issued a tender inviting suppliers to enter into long-term offtake agreements for imports of DAP, TSP, NPS and NPKs. The tender closes on 7 May. NFL has specified demand for the following grades: DAP 18-46 NPS 20-20-0+13S NPK 12-32-16 NPK 10-26-26 But it will also consider fertilizer grades included under India's fertilizer control order. The offtake agreements signed with successful applicants will last for one year from the date of signing. Cargoes supplied under the agreements will be priced on a cfr India basis. Over the April 2025-March 2026 fertilizer year, NFL imported 612,093t of DAP, 144,040t of NPS and 26,762t of NPKs, it said. This is up significantly from 553,928t of DAP and no NPKs or NPS imported in the previous fertilizer year. NFL says it plans to become one of the major players in the trading of phosphate and potash-based fertilizers. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Weak monsoon may curb Thailand's fertilizer demand
Weak monsoon may curb Thailand's fertilizer demand
Singapore, 16 April (Argus) — Thailand is expected to receive lower-than-normal rainfall in the upcoming southwest monsoon season starting in May, which could slow paddy planting and reduce fertilizer offtake. The main fertilizer application season, mainly for paddy planting, runs over May-October and depends on monsoon rains because paddy cultivation requires a large amount of water throughout the growing period. Rainfall across most of Thailand over April-June could be about 10pc below normal, according to the Thai Meteorological Agency. In the northeastern and central regions, where most of the paddy is planted, rainfall is forecast at 380-480mm compared with the normal 474mm in the northeast, and 270-370mm compared 352mm in the central region. Rainfall will likely be above normal in April, but below normal in May and June. Fertilizer suppliers are also concerned about growers' affordability, given that rice export prices have fallen year on the year , likely reducing farmers' cash flow for purchasing inputs. The ongoing US-Iran war has also tightened urea and phosphate supply, pushing delivered prices to Thailand sharply higher in recent weeks. This will further erode growers' ability to afford fertilizers, traders said. Thailand's department of internal trade has launched a subsidy programme, Green Flag Fertilizer Plus, to ease the impact of high fertilizer costs and falling rice prices. But the initiative will likely do little to boost planting and fertilizer offtake this season, given expectations of below-normal rainfall levels. By Huijun Yao Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indian government raises NBS for N, P, S
Indian government raises NBS for N, P, S
London, 8 April (Argus) — The Indian government has raised the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) for nitrogen, phosphate and sulphur each by 10pc for the April-September kharif season, while holding the rate for potash steady . The NBS applies to phosphate and potash-based fertilizers including DAP, MOP and NPKs. It does not cover urea. The latest subsidy rates per nutrient are as follows: Rs47.32/kg for nitrogen Rs52.76/kg for phosphate Rs2.38/kg for potash Rs3.16.kg for sulphur The government has stated a tentative budgetary requirement for the season at 415bn rupees ($4.5bn), up by Rs43bn from the budgetary requirement for the 2025 kharif season. This raises the NBS for DAP to around Rs32,787/t ($355/t), and keeps the NBS for MOP at Rs1,428/t. Despite the rise in the subsidy, Indian DAP importers and producers would make a loss if receiving only the NBS and the maximum retail price of Rs27,000/t. Market participants expect the government to maintain the additional financial support for DAP importers and producers beyond the nutrient-based subsidy, but no official confirmation has yet emerged. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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