Global fertilizer production 2005-2022, by nutrient

In the early 2000's, the production of nitrogen fertilizers stood at some 95 million metric tons. By 2019, this figure had increased to almost 123 million tons before experiencing a slight decline to reach a production quantity of 118.08 million metric tons in 2022. Production of phosphate fertilizers also increased, from a production value of around 38 million metric tons in 2005 to over 46 million metric tons in 2022. Fertilizers are widely used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and achieve higher crop yields. They typically contain one or more of the three main essential nutrients needed for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.