Global consumption of fertilizers 2022, by country
China is the world's largest consumer of fertilizers. In 2022, the Asian country consumed more than 47 million metric tons worth of nutrients. It was followed by India and the United States, which consumed 29.84 and 20.46 million tons, respectively.
Fertilizer consumption in China
China’s agriculture relies heavily on fertilizers to meet the food demand of its large population, as well as to support its exports of agricultural products.
China’s demand for fertilizers has grown rapidly since the 1960s, driven by the expansion of cultivated land, the intensification of farming practices, the improvement of crop varieties, and the subsequent increase of agricultural output. China’s fertilizer consumption is dominated by nitrogen-based fertilizers, accounting for over 50 percent of the total nutrient consumption.
Environmental footprint of fertilizers
Fertilizer consumption can have a positive impact on food security by increasing crop yields and reducing the need for additional agricultural land. However, fertilizers can also have a negative impact on the environment by causing eutrophication, soil erosion, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these potential impacts, the forecast global fertilizer demand is expected to reach some 205.8 million metric tons by 2027. Some potential strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the anticipated fertilizer consumption include improving the efficiency of fertilizer use by developing an understanding of the most effective amount, type, and timing of fertilizer applications; by adopting organic farming practices, including the use of more natural sources of nutrients; by promoting circular economy models, which involves recovering and reusing nutrients from waste streams; and the introduction of regulating policies, such as establishing standards and guidelines for fertilizer production and use.
