Keeping an eye on 1st week of July’09, complex fertiliser sales increased by 86% YoY in Apr-May’09

We met a few farmers in Maharashtra over the weekend, in order to gauge the impact of the delayed monsoon on their crops. We also conversed with a few farmers from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, various crop care retailers and crop care companies to get a better take on the delayed monsoon. While a few farmers have expressed concerns over the delayed monsoon, a majority of them stated that the crucial period for them is the 1st week of July. Farmers have purchased various fertilizers well in advance, complex fertiliser sales increased by 86% YoY in Apr-May'09, after facing a fertiliser shortage in the previous year. Sale of key crops ingredients like seeds and fertilisers have been encouraging so far.