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Sulphur Crisis: Rising Prices Create A New Fertiliser Challenge for India | Explained for UPSC India's new fertiliser crisis! Sulphur prices have DOUBLED to $1050-$1100 per tonne in 2026 from below $200 earlier. Why? In this video, Vajirao & Reddy Institute explains the complete story behind the Sulphur Crisis as covered in The Hindu, Indian Express & PIB. 🔴 WHAT IS THE CRISIS? India consumes 3.8-3.9 MT sulphur yearly, with fertiliser sector needing 2-2.1 MT. We import over 50-80% of our sulphur from Gulf countries. Due to Russia-Ukraine drone attacks on Russian refineries & Iran-Israel conflict targeting Saudi Aramco, QatarEnergy & ADNOC, global supply has collapsed. Strait of Hormuz disruption has blocked shipping. 🔴 WHY SULPHUR IS CRITICAL FOR INDIA? Only 10% sulphur is mined directly. 56% comes from oil refining & 34% from gas processing. 60% of world's 70 MT sulphur is used to make Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4). This acid is essential to convert Rock Phosphate into DAP, SSP, and complex fertilisers like 20:20:0:13, 10:26:26, 12:32:16. Without Sulphur = No DAP, No SSP! 🔴 IMPACT ON INDIA: - DAP import dependence 68% in FY26 - highest ever. Saudi Arabia supplies 40% of DAP. - International DAP price at $900/MT, but MRP fixed at Rs 27,000/MT - under-recovery of Rs 23,000/MT even after subsidy. - Ammonia up 60%, Sulphur up 50% since March 2026. - Fertiliser subsidy bill may rise to Rs 2.5 Trillion vs Budgeted 1.77 Trillion. - India considering ban on 8 lakh tonne sulphur exports to China to save domestic supply. 🔴 UPSC ANGLE: GS3 - Agriculture, Economy, Geopolitics, Supply Chain Vulnerability, Subsidy Issues. Prelims: What is Sulphur, Source of Sulphur, Sulphuric Acid. Mains: Food Security & Geopolitical Conflicts linkage. 📚 Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express (21 Sep 2026), PIB, ET, Business Standard 👉 Join Vajirao & Reddy Institute - India's Top Potential Training Institute for IAS For Full Current Affairs Classes: [Add Your Playlist Link] #SulphurCrisis #FertiliserCrisis #DAP #UPSC2026 #GS3 #Agriculture #IndianEconomy #Geopolitics #TheHinduAnalysis #CurrentAffairs #UPSCPreparation #VajiraoAndReddy #FertilizerSubsidy #WestAsiaCrisis #SulphuricAcid