Market Trends of europe controlled release fertilizer Industry
The cultivation area for field crops is consistently expanding to cater to both domestic consumption and the growing export demand
- In Europe, field crops like rapeseed, wheat, rye, and triticale are predominantly winter crops, while maize, sunflowers, rice, and soybean are grown in the summer. Barley, in both winter and spring varieties, is widely cultivated. The area dedicated to major food crops in Europe has been steadily expanding, driven by population growth and rising food grain demand. In 2017, the harvested area for field crops stood at 78.5 thousand ha, which climbed to 108 thousand ha by 2022.
- In 2021, the European Union harvested 129.9 million tonnes of common wheat and spelled, accounting for 43.7% of all cereal grains. This marked an 11.0 million tonne increase from 2020, reflecting a 9.3% surge. The rise was propelled by a 5.6% expansion in the harvested area, reaching 21.8 million hectares, and improved apparent yields.
- In 2021, the European Union's production of grain maize and corn cob mix reached 73.0 million tonnes, up by 6.0 million tonnes from 2020. This overall increase was primarily driven by significant rebounds in Romania (a 46.8% increase, adding 4.7 million tonnes) and France (a 14.5% increase, adding 1.9 million tonnes).
- From 2019 to 2022, the region witnessed a notable 34% decline in harvested area. Despite this, corn/maize and wheat saw respective increases of 11% and 2% in their cultivation areas, while other field crops saw reductions. Farmers are expected to boost fertilizer usage during 2023-2030 to bolster yields and counterbalance the declining harvested areas of recent years.
Nitrogen is the primary nutrient consumed more in field crops as most of the soil in the region is deficient in nitrogen
- In 2022, field crops dominated nutrient consumption in Europe, accounting for 85% of the total and utilizing 47 million metric tons. This high demand can be attributed to both the extensive cultivation of field crops and their significant nutrient requirements.
- The primary field crops in Europe include wheat, rapeseed, rye, soybean, and corn, all of which have a substantial reliance on fertilizers. In 2022, the average application rate of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in these crops stood at 187.3 kg per hectare.
- Nitrogen emerged as the most in-demand primary nutrient fertilizer for European field crops, with an average application rate of 130.64 kg/hectare in 2022. Nitrogen deficiency poses the most significant yield constraint, with a majority of agricultural soils in the region lacking this nutrient, necessitating its widespread application.
- Following nitrogen, potassium took the second spot in fertilizer consumption, with an average application rate of 103.75 kg/hectare in 2022. Notably, countries like Sweden, Spain, Poland, and Latvia face more pronounced potassium deficiencies, primarily due to the prevalence of sandy soils. Phosphatic fertilizers followed with an application rate of 56.93 kg/hectare in 2022.
- Primary nutrient fertilizers hold immense significance for crops, as they are integral to metabolic processes and the formation of crucial plant tissues such as cells, cell membranes, and chlorophyll. Phosphorous plays a vital role in cultivating high-quality crops, while potassium activates enzymes essential for plant growth and development.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Extreme weather conditions and climate change pose major challenges to horticulture expansion
- The average application rate of primary nutrients in vegetable crops is 290.4 kg/ha, with nitrogen as the most applied primary nutrient