Kharif and Rabi Cropping Seasons
India's agricultural year is divided into two principal cropping seasons. The Kharif (summer/monsoon) season runs from June to September/October, with sowing beginning as early as April–May in some regions; major crops include paddy, maize, cotton, soybean, groundnut, and sugarcane. The Rabi (winter) season runs from October to March/April; key crops include wheat, mustard, chickpea, and barley. Fertilizer demand is highly seasonal, with Kharif accounting for the larger share given the spread of paddy and oilseed cultivation.
- Urea is the most consumed fertilizer in India (~33–35 MT/year), followed by DAP and complex NPKs
- India is the world's second-largest consumer of fertilizers after China
- Nearly 25–30% of India's urea requirement is met through imports; DAP is predominantly imported (major suppliers: Saudi Arabia, Morocco, China, Jordan)
● Tracked since March 14, 2026 · last seen June 30, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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