BRICS talks focus on securing fertiliser supplies as India faces mounting subsidy burden

Source: Moneycontrol | Original Published At: 2026-09-15 12:38:37 UTC

Key Points

• BRICS member states met on September 12-13 and discussed fertilizer supply security among members, including India, Russia, China, and South Africa.
• The September 12 New Delhi Declaration emphasized mitigating abrupt supply crises, including fertilizer shortages, and ensuring adequate availability within the bloc during crises.
• India imports nearly 30 percent of its fertilizer needs, and finance ministry estimates put the full-year fertilizer subsidy outlay at Rs 2.3-2.5 lakh crore, Rs 60,000-80,000 crore above budget estimates.
• India consumes around 60-64 million tonnes of fertilizers annually, and imported about half of its diammonium phosphate requirement in 2024-25, with Saudi Arabia, Morocco, China, and Russia as major suppliers.
• Details on how BRICS cooperation could translate into easier fertilizer procurement among member countries are still being worked out.
• An expert said the commitment remains largely diplomatic, noting that China has endorsed the declaration but has not committed to exempting BRICS countries from future export restrictions.