In 2022, Russia was the world's largest exporter of agricultural fertilizers, with exports valued at approximately billion U.S. dollars that year. The total market size of the global fertilizer industry was valued at around 193.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, emphasizing the immense economic significance of the fertilizer industry and its contribution to global agricultural sustainability.
Global fertilizer production
In terms of production, the global volume of urea, a widely used nitrogen-based fertilizer, reached a staggering 179.8 million metric tons in 2022. This immense production volume for even just this one fertilizer type indicates the substantial scale of fertilizer manufacturing necessary to meet the growing global agricultural needs. Alongside urea there were also global fertilizer production volumes of a similar order of magnitude for phosphorous-based fertilizers, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP); and potassium-based fertilizer, muriate of potash (MOP). However, such massive production and consumption of fertilizers also pose serious environmental and social challenges, such as water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation and food insecurity. Therefore, finding sustainable and innovative solutions for fertilizer management is crucial for ensuring the long-term well-being of both humans and nature.
Projected fertilizer demand
Looking ahead, there is a projected decline in the demand for urea. While the demand for urea in 2018 reached a maximum of 202.46 million metric tons, it is expected to decrease to 183 million metric tons in 2024. This decline in demand signifies a decrease in the need for this nitrogen-based fertilizer. However, despite the declining demand for urea, the overall demand for fertilizer nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is projected to reach 208.3 million metric tons by 2026. These projections stress the ongoing importance of fertilizers in meeting global agricultural demands and ensuring the long-term sustainability of food production worldwide, even in light of the potentially disruptive environmental impacts that can result from their overuse and miss-management.
Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value
(in billion U.S. dollars)
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Trade Map. (September 18, 2023). Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 02, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/
Trade Map. "Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value (in billion U.S. dollars)." Chart. September 18, 2023. Statista. Accessed November 02, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/
Trade Map. (2023). Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value (in billion U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 02, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/
Trade Map. "Leading Fertilizer Exporting Countries Worldwide in 2022, Based on Value (in Billion U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 18 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/
Trade Map, Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value (in billion U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/ (last visited November 02, 2024)
Leading fertilizer exporting countries worldwide in 2022, based on value (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph], Trade Map, September 18, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1278057/export-value-fertilizers-worldwide-by-country/