en.Wedoany.com Reported - India launched a new international urea tender on July 29 through the state-owned Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), planning to procure 1.7 million tons of bulk urea for delivery ahead of the Rabi sowing season. Technical and commercial bids are scheduled to open on August 11, with suppliers required to keep their offers valid until August 24.

This tender divides the procurement volume into two parts: 1 million tons for India's west coast and 700,000 tons for the east coast. Winning exporters must complete all shipments by September 24. The total procurement volume is comparable to the previous tender issued in May through National Fertilizers (NFL), but RCF has allocated a larger share of supply to western ports in this round.

Compared to the previous round, RCF has tightened commercial requirements. Suppliers may submit offers under FOB or CFR terms, but second- and third-category producers must provide both pricing formats simultaneously or face automatic disqualification.

This tender also introduces strict geopolitical screening. RCF will reject any supplier, vessel, or logistics chain subject to sanctions by the United States, the European Union, or the United Kingdom. Cargo must not originate from or transit through Ukraine, the Sea of Azov, Russian Black Sea ports, or Russian territory within 200 kilometers of the Ukrainian border. Suppliers from countries sharing land borders with India must provide official registration certificates.

Market participants view the August 11 bid opening as one of the most significant pricing events for the global urea market in the third quarter of 2026. Offers attracted in India's previous NFL tender in June were approximately $449 per ton CFR, nearly half the peak of around $1,000 per ton seen in the April round, reflecting an easing of supply constraints related to the Strait of Hormuz.

This tender comes as global urea prices regained strength in July, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East and seasonal demand from buyers in the Northern Hemisphere.