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

India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market Analysis

The India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market size is estimated at 0.81 billion USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 1.12 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

India's agricultural landscape is experiencing significant transformation, driven by evolving farming practices and infrastructure development. As of 2022, the country achieved a notable milestone with 52% of its cultivated land having access to irrigation facilities, marking the first time that over half of India's agricultural land was irrigation-enabled. This extensive irrigation network, comprising canals, reservoirs, and tube wells, represents the largest infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for 34.1% of the region's total irrigation value. The enhanced irrigation capabilities have enabled farmers to adopt more sophisticated farming techniques and optimize their use of agricultural inputs, including micronutrient fertilizers.

The agricultural sector is grappling with widespread nutrient deficiency in India across major growing regions. Recent soil analyses have revealed alarming zinc deficiency levels in key agricultural states, with Maharashtra showing 83% deficiency, Karnataka 73%, and Andhra Pradesh 58%. These deficiencies are particularly concerning given that field crops occupy 95.58% of the total cultivated area, highlighting the critical need for soil micronutrient supplementation. The situation is further compounded by continuous cultivation practices that have led to progressive soil nutrient depletion.

The fertilizer industry in India is witnessing a significant shift toward advanced fertilizer formulations and application methods. Conventional fertilizers, while still dominant, are gradually giving way to specialty fertilizers and chelated fertilizers known for their enhanced stability and efficiency in soil applications. This transition is particularly evident in the growing adoption of water-soluble and liquid micronutrient formulations, which offer improved nutrient absorption and reduced wastage. The industry is also seeing increased integration of fertigation and foliar application methods, which provide more precise and efficient nutrient delivery systems.

The horticultural sector has emerged as a significant driver of micronutrient demand, with total production reaching 351.9 million tons in 2022-23, representing a 3% increase from the previous year. This growth has been accompanied by the adoption of hi-tech farming practices, including greenhouse cultivation and precision farming techniques. These advanced farming methods require optimized crop nutrition management systems, leading to increased demand for specialized micronutrient formulations. The sector's evolution is characterized by a growing emphasis on quality production, particularly in export-oriented crops, which necessitates careful attention to micronutrient supplementation.

India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market Trends

Manganese deficiency is a common problem in European countries, which most frequently affects sandy soils and organic soils with a pH above 6

• The area under field crop cultivation in the country increased by 3.5% from 2017 to 2021. 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, respectively, in the year 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 the year 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 food and nutritional security of the country. Therefore, the intense cereal cultivation in the country, coupled with rising domestic and international demand, is anticipated to drive the Indian fertilizer market during 2023-2030.

Widespread micronutrient deficiency in soils of India is leading to reduced crop yield

• The increasing consumption of chemical fertilizers has led to a higher deficiency of micronutrients in the soil, leading to lesser crop yield over the years. The State of Biofertilizers and Organic Fertilizers stated that the soil was highly deficient in boron (47.0%), zinc (39.0%), iron (37.0%), and sulfur (36.0%) in 2022.
• Empirical studies show that high-yielding cultivars were introduced to meet the growing demand for food, fiber, and fuel. These high-yielding crop cultivars were highly responsive to fertilizers. Thus, the soils were slowly exhausted from their nutrients. In 2021, manganese, copper, and zinc were found to have the highest average nutrient application rates of 9.8 kg/ha, 7.3 kg/ha, and 4.1 kg/ha, respectively.
• Crops such as rapeseed/canola, corn/maize, and rice were found to be the largest consumers of average micronutrients in 2021, accounting for 10.7, 6.8, and 6.3 kg/ha, respectively.  The adoption of intensive and modern cropping practices with high-yielding crop cultivars and unbalanced fertilizer application resulted in the emergence of widespread micronutrient deficiency in soils and crops of India, leading to reduced crop yield and low micronutrient concentration in agricultural produce.
• States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh  are highly deficient in zinc and boron. Hence, micronutrient management depending upon crops, soil types, the severity of the deficiency, rates, and frequency of application has been adapted by the farmers in the country for sustainable agricultural production over the past few years, which is anticipated to drive the micronutrient market in the country.

OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT

Segment Analysis: Product

Copper Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

Copper dominates the Indian micronutrient fertilizer landscape, commanding approximately 43% market share in 2024. This significant market position is attributed to copper's crucial role in promoting chlorophyll production and seed formation in plants. The segment's dominance is further strengthened by its effectiveness in enhancing plant development and natural defense mechanisms against fungal diseases. Conventional copper fertilizers maintain a commanding presence with nearly 97% market share, while specialty copper fertilizers account for the remaining portion. The preference for conventional fertilizers is primarily driven by their wider availability and established adoption patterns across India's agricultural sector. Additionally, copper's vital role in plant metabolism and its effectiveness in foliar micronutrient spraying applications have made it an essential component in modern agricultural practices.

Zinc Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

The zinc segment is experiencing remarkable growth momentum in the Indian micronutrient fertilizer market, projected to expand at approximately 8% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This robust growth trajectory is primarily driven by the widespread zinc deficiency in agricultural soils, particularly in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, where deficiency levels reach as high as 83%, 73%, and 58% respectively. The segment's growth is further propelled by increasing awareness among farmers about zinc's critical role in enhancing crop yields, with documented improvements of 1 to 2 tons per hectare in various field crops. The adoption of zinc fertilizers is also gaining traction due to their proven effectiveness in addressing soil deficiencies and their crucial role in plant metabolism and protein synthesis, making it a vital plant micronutrient.

Remaining Segments in Product Segmentation

The other segments in India's micronutrient fertilizer market include iron, molybdenum, manganese, boron, and various other micronutrients, each playing distinct roles in plant nutrition and development. Iron stands out for its essential function in chlorophyll synthesis and electron transport in photosynthesis, while molybdenum is crucial for nitrogen metabolism in pulse crops. Manganese plays a vital role in photosynthesis and disease resistance, and boron is essential for reproductive development and cell wall formation. These segments collectively contribute to the market's diversity, offering farmers a comprehensive range of solutions for various crop-specific nutrient deficiencies and soil conditions. The market for these segments is shaped by factors such as soil type, crop requirements, and regional deficiency patterns across India's agricultural landscape.

Segment Analysis: Application Mode

Soil Application Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

Soil application dominates the Indian micronutrient fertilizer market, commanding approximately 97% of the total market share in 2024. This overwhelming dominance can be attributed to several factors, including its widespread adoption across diverse crops, cost-effectiveness, and ease of application. The method's popularity stems from its versatility across different soil types and environmental conditions, making it particularly suitable for large-scale agricultural operations. Soil application has proven especially effective in addressing micronutrient deficiencies in major crops like rice, wheat, and pulses, which form the backbone of Indian agriculture. The segment's strength is further reinforced by its established distribution infrastructure and farmers' familiarity with traditional application methods, including the use of trace element fertilizer.

Foliar Application Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

The foliar application segment is emerging as the fastest-growing segment in the Indian micronutrient fertilizer market, projected to grow at approximately 9% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This rapid growth is primarily driven by the method's superior efficiency in nutrient absorption and its ability to provide immediate nutrition to plants. Foliar application has gained significant traction, particularly in horticultural crops, where it has demonstrated exceptional results in correcting nutrient deficiencies quickly. The segment's growth is further propelled by increasing adoption of advanced water-soluble and liquid fertilizers, which are particularly suitable for foliar micronutrient application. The method's precision in targeting specific plant parts and its reduced nutrient wastage compared to traditional application methods have made it increasingly popular among progressive farmers.

Remaining Segments in Application Mode

Fertigation represents an innovative approach in the micronutrient fertilizer application landscape, combining irrigation and fertilization processes. This method has gained particular relevance in modern agricultural practices, especially in areas equipped with drip irrigation and sprinkler systems. Fertigation offers unique advantages in terms of nutrient distribution uniformity and increased fertilizer use efficiency, making it particularly valuable for high-value crops and precision farming operations. The method's ability to optimize both water and nutrient usage while reducing labor costs has made it an increasingly attractive option for farmers adopting modern agricultural practices, particularly in regions with water scarcity concerns. It also supports the application of chelated micronutrient solutions, enhancing nutrient availability.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Field Crops Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

Field crops dominate the Indian micronutrient fertilizer market, commanding approximately 89% market share in 2024. This substantial share is primarily attributed to field crops occupying over 95% of the total agricultural area in India, with major crops including rice, wheat, millets, maize, and pulses. The segment's dominance is further reinforced by the extensive cultivation area, which has expanded to nearly 184 million hectares, reflecting the country's focus on food security and agricultural self-sufficiency. The high application rates of micronutrients in field crops, particularly in regions with significant nutrient deficiencies, contribute to this segment's market leadership. Additionally, the growing adoption of specialty fertilizers among field crop farmers, driven by their superior fertilizer-use efficiency and environmental benefits, continues to strengthen this segment's market position, especially with the use of secondary nutrient solutions.

Horticultural Crops Segment in India Micronutrient Fertilizer Market

The horticultural crops segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the Indian micronutrient fertilizer market, projected to grow at approximately 7% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This robust growth is driven by increasing consumer awareness about healthy diets and the rising demand for fresh produce. The segment's growth is further supported by the adoption of hi-tech farming practices, including greenhouse cultivation and precision farming techniques, which require precise nutrient management. The increasing focus on export-quality produce has led to greater emphasis on micronutrient application in fruit and vegetable cultivation. Moreover, the shift towards specialty micronutrient fertilizers, particularly through fertigation and foliar application methods, is enhancing nutrient uptake efficiency in horticultural crops, driving segment growth with the use of chelated micronutrient products.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The turf and ornamental segment, while smaller in scale, plays a significant role in India's micronutrient fertilizer market. This segment primarily serves the growing landscaping industry, golf courses, and urban gardening sector. The increasing urbanization and rising disposable incomes have led to greater investment in landscaping and ornamental plant cultivation, driving the demand for specialized micronutrient formulations. The segment is characterized by its unique requirements for balanced nutrition to maintain aesthetic appeal and plant health, particularly in institutional spaces, public parks, and residential complexes. The growing trend of urban gardening and increasing focus on green spaces in commercial developments continues to support this segment's development in the market, often utilizing trace mineral fertilizer solutions.

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