India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market Analysis

The India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market size is estimated at 47.96 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 68.6 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.42% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

India's agricultural sector is experiencing a significant transformation in fertilizer application technologies, driven by the pressing need to optimize nutrient efficiency. With field crops occupying 90% of the cultivated area in 2022, the sector faces substantial challenges in maintaining soil fertility and ensuring sustainable crop yields. The overall primary nutrient application rate reached 125.1 kg/ha in 2022, highlighting the intensive nature of agricultural practices. Traditional fertilizer applications have shown considerable inefficiencies, with studies indicating 30-40% nutrient loss through various processes, including leaching and volatilization, necessitating the adoption of more advanced fertilizer technologies.

The controlled release fertilizer industry has emerged as a crucial solution to address the challenges of nutrient management in Indian agriculture. The technology's ability to extend nutrient release time by 3 to 15 months has revolutionized fertilizer application practices, particularly benefiting major crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. The sector has witnessed remarkable innovation in coating technologies, with polymer-coated and polymer-sulfur-coated variants gaining prominence. These advanced formulations have demonstrated the potential to reduce cultivation costs by 20-30% while significantly improving nutrient use efficiency. The adoption of slow release fertilizer is also contributing to this transformation, offering a more environmentally friendly fertilizer option.

The horticultural sector has become a key growth driver for controlled release fertilizer adoption, with total horticulture production reaching 341.63 million tons in 2021-22, marking a 2.10% increase from the previous year. The precision agriculture movement has gained momentum, with farmers increasingly recognizing the value of smart fertilizer and controlled nutrient release in maintaining optimal growth conditions for high-value crops. The industry has responded by developing specialized formulations that cater to the specific nutritional requirements of different horticultural crops, ensuring sustained nutrient availability throughout the growing season.

The regulatory landscape has played a pivotal role in shaping market dynamics, particularly through the government's mandate for domestic producers to manufacture 100% neem-coated urea and distribute it at subsidized rates to farmers. This policy intervention has accelerated the transition toward enhanced efficiency fertilizer while ensuring accessibility for farmers. The industry has also witnessed significant developments in distribution networks and supply chain optimization, with manufacturers focusing on establishing direct farmer connect programs and technical support services to promote proper application practices and maximize the benefits of controlled release fertilizer technology.

India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market Trends

The intense cereal cultivation in the country is anticipated to drive the Indian fertilizer market

• The area under field crop cultivation in the country increased by 3.5% during the study period. The increased cultivation of cereals, pulses, and oilseeds in the country due to the rising consumer demand domestically and internationally is the major driving factor for the rising acreage. By crop type, rice, wheat, and soybean occupied the largest area under cultivation in the country, accounting for 47 million ha, 31.1 million ha, and 12.3 million ha in 2022. Rice is the most important food crop of India, covering about one-fourth of the total cropped area and providing food to about half of the Indian population. It is cultivated in almost all the states of the country, mainly in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
• Accordingly, rice consumption in the country increased from 95.8 million tons in 2016 to 107 million tons in 2022, which shows the rising demand for the crop in the country. This trend is further anticipated to drive the demand for fertilizers during 2023-2030. Similarly, wheat cultivation in the country increased from 98.5 million tons in 2017 to 107.6 million tons in 2020. It is cultivated majorly in Punjab, West Bengal, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Wheat is the second most important cereal crop in India and plays a vital role in the country's food and nutritional security. Therefore, the intense cereal cultivation in the country, coupled with rising domestic and international demand, is anticipated to drive the Indian fertilizer market during the forecast period.

Among the primary nutrients, nitrogen is the most-applied nutrient in field crops, with an average application rate of 223.5 kg per hectare

• The overall primary nutrient average application rate in 2022 was 125.1 kg/ha, with nutrients such as nitrogen with the highest average application rate of 223.5 kg/ha. Accordingly, nitrogen is the major source of nutrients for crops such as rice, which is intensively cultivated in the country, and such nutrient deficiency in soil is limiting rice productivity across the nation.
• The State of Biofertilizers and Organic Fertilizers in India marked the poor status of soil health, with increasing consumption of chemical fertilizers in India. Accordingly, 97.0%, 83.0%, and 71.0% of the soil tested were found to be deficient in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, respectively.
• By crop, wheat, rice, and corn/maize are estimated to be the crop types with the highest average nutrient application rate of 231, 156, and 149 kg/ha in 2022. Wheat and rice are important staple food domestically and globally. Multiple nutrient deficiencies are the key factors that reduce yield and profit. Wheat and rice  crops require nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, along with other micronutrients such as sulfur, boron, iron, and zinc, for their proper growth and development. The proper management of nutrients is necessary for successful crop production, which is driving market growth.
• Field crops consume the maximum amount of primary nutrients, such as nitrogen fertilizer. As grains and cereals are intensively grown in the country, the soil is depleted of its nutrition, and hence, they require more fertilizers to supplement them, which, in turn, is anticipated to drive the market during 2023-2030.

OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT

Segment Analysis: Coating Type

Polymer Coated Segment in India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market

The polymer coated fertilizer segment dominates the Indian controlled release fertilizer market, commanding approximately 76% market share in 2024, primarily due to its superior efficiency in increasing fertilizer use capacity and reducing nutrient losses. This segment's prominence is particularly evident in field crops, which account for nearly 89% of polymer coated fertilizer applications, followed by horticultural crops. The segment's strong market position is attributed to the increased awareness among farmers about the negative impacts of nutrient leaching and environmental pollution, with polymer coated fertilizer CRFs offering a viable solution through controlled nutrient release timing. Furthermore, the segment is experiencing robust growth at around 7% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, driven by the rising popularity of polyolefin resin coating in agriculture and active research on developing biodegradable and cost-effective polymer coating materials. The maximum benefit from polymer coated fertilizer CRF is achieved when farmers synchronize the nutrient release duration with crop nutrient uptake periods, making it particularly effective for various agricultural applications.

Remaining Segments in Coating Type

The sulfur coated fertilizer and other coating segments complete the market landscape, each serving specific agricultural needs. Sulfur coated fertilizer effectively addresses sulfur deficiency in various crops like cereals, fruits, and vegetables, making them particularly valuable for acidic and sandy soils with low organic matter content. The other coating segment includes innovative solutions such as biodegradable material coatings and zinc-coated urea, which are gaining traction due to their effectiveness in preventing nitrate leakage and addressing specific nutrient deficiencies. These segments continue to evolve with technological advancements and increasing focus on sustainable agricultural practices, offering farmers diverse options for optimizing nutrient delivery based on their specific crop and soil requirements.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Field Crops Segment in India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market

Field crops dominate the Indian controlled release fertilizer market, commanding approximately 89% of the total market value in 2024. This substantial market share can be attributed to the segment's extensive cultivation area, which covers over 90% of India's agricultural land. The segment's prominence is particularly evident in major crops like rice, wheat, and maize, where timed release fertilizer has proven highly effective in addressing nutrient deficiency challenges. These crops require significant nitrogen content throughout their growth stages, making encapsulated fertilizer particularly valuable. The efficiency of controlled release fertilizer in field crops is demonstrated by their ability to reduce nutrient losses by 30-40% compared to conventional fertilizers, while simultaneously decreasing cultivation costs by 20-30%. The segment's dominance is further strengthened by the increasing adoption of advanced fertilizer technologies among field crop farmers, who recognize the benefits of controlled nutrient release in improving crop yields and reducing environmental impact.

Horticultural Crops Segment in India Controlled Release Fertilizer Market

The horticultural crops segment is emerging as the fastest-growing segment in India's controlled release fertilizer market, with an expected growth rate of approximately 8% from 2024 to 2029. This accelerated growth is driven by the increasing adoption of precision farming techniques and greenhouse cultivation methods in fruit and vegetable production. The segment's growth is further supported by the rising awareness among horticultural farmers about the benefits of coated fertilizer in reducing nutrient leaching and improving nutrient use efficiency. The expansion of high-value horticultural crops, coupled with the growing export market for fruits and vegetables, is creating a strong demand for advanced fertilizer solutions. Additionally, the segment's growth is bolstered by the increasing focus on quality production and the need for optimal nutrient management in intensive horticultural systems, particularly in crops like tomatoes, cabbage, and cauliflower, which require precise nutrient delivery throughout their growing cycle.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The turf and ornamental segment, while smaller in market share, plays a significant role in the Indian controlled release fertilizer market, particularly in specialized applications such as golf courses, public gardens, and ornamental plant cultivation. This segment is characterized by its unique requirements for sustained nutrient release and the need for premium fertilizer products that can maintain aesthetic appeal while minimizing maintenance requirements. The segment's growth is supported by the expanding landscaping industry and increasing urbanization, which has led to greater demand for well-maintained green spaces. The adoption of coated fertilizer in this segment is driven by their ability to provide consistent nutrient supply over extended periods, reducing the frequency of applications and labor costs while maintaining optimal plant health and appearance.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack with 25+ graphs on area under cultivation and average application rate per hectare. The data pack includes Globe, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa.