Market Trends of phosphatic fertilizer Industry
The rising pressure on the agriculture industry to meet the growing food demand is expected to increase the area under field crop cultivation
- The global agricultural sector grapples with numerous challenges. The United Nations projects a world population surpassing 9 billion by 2050, potentially straining an agricultural industry already struggling with labor shortages and shrinking fields due to urbanization. The Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that by 2050, 70% of the global population will reside in urban areas. With arable land dwindling worldwide, farmers are increasingly relying on fertilizers to bolster crop yields in an effort to meet the rising demand for food.
- The Asia-Pacific region stands as the leading global agricultural producer, with agriculture employing roughly 20% of its workforce. Field crop cultivation dominates, encompassing over 95% of the region's crop area. Rice, wheat, and corn, collectively occupying 24.3% of the crop area in 2022, are the primary field crops in the region, which is a testament to the region's agricultural diversity and productivity.
- North America ranks as the second-largest arable region globally, boasting a diverse crop portfolio with a focus on field crops. Notably, corn, cotton, rice, soybean, and wheat take center stage, as highlighted by the USDA. In 2022, the United States commanded 46.2% of North America's crop cultivation area. However, adverse environmental conditions, including severe flooding in regions like Texas and Houston, led to a significant drop in the country's crop acreage between 2017 and 2019, underscoring the vulnerability of agricultural production to climate change.
Canola has the highest application rate of potassic fertilizers globally, with an average application rate of 248.6 kg/ha
- Corn, rapeseed, cotton, sorghum, rice, wheat, and soybean are prominent crops globally, known for their high nutrient requirements. The average primary nutrient application rates for these crops in 2022 were as follows: corn (230.57 kg/ha), rapeseed (255.75 kg/ha), cotton (172.70 kg/ha), sorghum (158.46 kg/ha), rice (154.49 kg/ha), wheat (135.35 kg/ha), and soybean (120.97 kg/ha). Primary nutrients are vital for crops, facilitating metabolic processes and contributing to the formation of essential plant tissues, including cells, cell membranes, and chlorophyll. Notably, phosphorus is crucial for cultivating high-quality crops, while potassium plays a pivotal role in activating enzymes necessary for plant growth.
- On a global scale, field crops have an average nutrient application rate of 164.31 kg/ha for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Nitrogen takes the lead as the most widely used primary nutrient, with an application rate of 224.6 kg/ha, followed by potassium at 150.3 kg/ha. Phosphorus ranks third, with a consumption rate of 117.9 kg/ha in 2022.
- In 2022, rapeseed had the highest nitrogen application rate at 347.4 kg/ha. Corn led in phosphorus application at 156.3 kg/ha, and canola topped in potassium application at 248.6 kg/ha.
- Field crop cultivation is rising globally, with notable growth in South America and Asia-Pacific. These regions are emerging as key markets for fertilizers. Developed regions like Europe and North America, along with areas grappling with nutrient deficiencies, are increasingly turning to specialty fertilizers for their efficacy. These dynamics are poised to fuel the primary nutrient fertilizers market in the coming years.
OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- The growing demand for fruits and vegetables drives the expansion of horticulture crop cultivation
- Asia-Pacific occupies the majority of the irrigation area globally, accounting for 66.8% in 2022
- Phosphorus plays a vital role in cultivating premium-grade fruit and vegetable crops, with an application rate of 297.3 kg/ha