Updated: 3 October 2026
MOP (muriate of potash) averaged ₹1,710.54 per 50 kg bag in 2025-26, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers told the Rajya Sabha on 10 March 2026. That is an average, not a fixed MRP: under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) the retail price of MOP is decided by each company, so the price on the bag and at your shop can differ.
One bag holds 30 kg of K2O. There is no official state-wise MRP for MOP. Compare it with other products on the fertiliser price page.
Price, subsidy and supply
| Item | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Average retail price, 50 kg bag | ₹1,710.54 | PIB, 10 Mar 2026 (2025-26 average) |
| NBS rate for potash, Kharif 2026 | ₹2.38 per kg (1 Apr to 30 Sep 2026) | Cabinet, 8 Apr 2026, via DT Next |
| Other Kharif 2026 NBS rates | N ₹47.32, P ₹52.76, S ₹3.16 per kg | Same |
| Stock on 5 Mar 2026 | 18.17 LMT against 14.18 LMT pro-rata need | PIB, 10 Mar 2026 |
- The potash rate stayed at the Rabi 2025-26 level while the N, P and S rates were raised. A per-bag subsidy figure is not published.
- Kharif 2026 ended on 30 September 2026. The Rabi 2026-27 rates are not yet confirmed, so the Kharif 2026 notice is the latest.
What is in the bag
- Potash: the Fertiliser (Control) Order requires water-soluble K2O of at least 60%, sodium (as NaCl) at most 3.5% and moisture at most 0.5%.
- Per bag: 50 x 60 / 100 = 30 kg K2O. TNAU puts chlorine at about 47%, so a bag carries roughly 50 x 47 / 100 = 23.5 kg chlorine.
- Not in MOP: no nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur or calcium is set in the Order. TNAU describes it as white or red crystals that dissolve fully in water.
Crops, soils and when to apply
Give potash on a soil test, not by habit. PAU says to apply potassium only where the soil test shows deficiency. Its doses per acre, for Punjab, are below. Whole potash goes at sowing, or before puddling in paddy. Get a Soil Health Card test first.
| Crop (PAU) | MOP per acre | K2O | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy | 20 kg | 12 kg | Soil test deficiency; apply before puddling |
| Wheat | 20 kg (40 kg in four Punjab districts) | 12 kg (24 kg) | Low-potash soils; drill at sowing |
| Maize hybrids | 20 kg (15 kg for PMH 2 type) | 12 kg (8 kg) | Only if soil test shows deficiency |
| Arhar | 20 kg | 12 kg | Only if soil test shows deficiency |
| Raya, gobhi sarson | 10 kg | 6 kg | Potash-deficient soils only |
| Sugarcane | 50 kg | 30 kg | Soils testing low in potassium |
- For paddy sterility PAU also gives a foliar spray of 1.5% potassium nitrate (3 kg in 200 litres of water per acre) at boot stage.
- Other states and soils differ. Use the fertiliser calculator with your soil report.
Common mistakes
- Using it on chloride-sensitive crops. TNAU warns about tobacco and potato where quality matters, because of the chlorine.
- Applying without a soil test. On soils that are not potash-short PAU does not recommend it.
- Mixing up potash with the P dose. MOP has no phosphorus; DAP or SSP is still needed. See DAP and SSP.
Compared with a complex NPK, per kg of nutrient
MOP costs ₹1,710.54 / 30 = ₹57.02 per kg of K2O. For NPK 10:26:26 (5 kg N, 13 kg P2O5, 13 kg K2O in 50 kg) the 2025-26 average was ₹1,814.82.
| Route to 13 kg K2O and 13 kg P2O5 | Cost |
|---|---|
| 21.67 kg MOP (13 / 0.6) at ₹34.21 per kg | ₹741.23 |
| 28.26 kg DAP (13 / 0.46) at ₹27 per kg, also gives 5.09 kg N | ₹763.04 |
| Total from MOP plus DAP | ₹1,504.28 |
| One bag NPK 10:26:26 | ₹1,814.82 |
MOP plus DAP is about ₹310 cheaper for the same nutrients, using the DAP MRP of ₹1,350 and the PIB averages. A complex bag is easier to carry and spread, so the choice is convenience against cost.
Genuine product, tagging and complaints
- Check that the bag says "FERTILISER", names the manufacturer and the 60% K2O grade, and is sealed or stitched without signs of tampering. Keep the PoS bill; the dealer must also display the price list and stock and issue a cash or credit memo.
- Sale goes through an Aadhaar-enabled PoS device. On 7 Aug 2026 the Minister said alternative Aadhaar-based modes exist under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act for genuine authentication problems.
- In July 2025 the Agriculture Minister told States to stop forced tagging of nano fertilisers or bio-stimulants with regular fertiliser and to act on overpricing and substandard stock. Refuse any add-on you did not ask for.
- Report to the District Agriculture Officer or the state agriculture department. The Kisan Call Centre number listed by PAU is 1800-180-1551. Check stock on the availability page.
Related nano product
This site covers no nano form of potash. The nano fertilisers covered on this site are Nano Urea and Nano DAP. More in the fertiliser guide and on organic fertiliser.
Sources
- PIB, 10 March 2026, Rajya Sabha reply on DAP, MOP and NPK prices and availability
- PM India, Cabinet approves NBS rates for Kharif Season 2026 (1 Apr to 30 Sep 2026), 8 April 2026
- DT Next, Cabinet approves NBS rates for Kharif 2026 (decision of 8 April 2026)
- ETV Bharat, Cabinet approves Rs 41,534 crore NBS for Kharif 2026
- Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985, Schedule I specifications and dealer rules (consolidated copy hosted by Puducherry government)
- TNAU Agritech Portal, properties of urea, DAP, SSP and MOP
- PAU Package of Practices, Kharif 2026 (Punjab Agricultural University)
- PAU Package of Practices, Rabi 2025-26 (Punjab Agricultural University)
- Tribune, Lok Sabha reply on Aadhaar-enabled PoS sale of fertiliser, 7 Aug 2026
- Indian Chemical News, Agriculture Minister's July 2025 letter to States on fake fertiliser and forced tagging