Specialised fertiliser market to hit $64.81b

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) has reported sustained growth in global demand for specialty fertilizers, although industry stakeholders in Europe warn that regulatory constraints could limit innovation and market access.

In its latest demand assessment for 2024, IFA said total consumption of specialty fertilizers—including controlled-release fertilizers (CRF), stabilised nitrogen fertilizers (SNF), and water-soluble fertilizers (WSF)—reached 18.8 million tons, representing a five per cent year-on-year increase. Water-soluble fertilizers emerged as the standout performer, recording a 12 per cent rise in demand.

“A stable pricing environment had supported global demand in 2024, despite export restrictions from China on some products,” the association noted.

According to Rajiv Ram, water-soluble fertilizers continued to gain traction across major agricultural markets. “In 2024, all specialty product categories continued their upward growth, with water soluble fertilizers emerging as a particularly strong performer, achieving an estimated 12 per cent year-on-year growth,” he said.

Water-soluble fertilizer consumption climbed to six million tons, supported by improved affordability, stock drawdowns, and advances in fertigation technologies. IFA defines WSFs as solid products, typically crystalline, with near-total solubility in water, enabling efficient application through irrigation systems or foliar feeding.

Managing Director, OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Limited, Caleb Usoh, said Nigeria’s drive to strengthen domestic food production and reduce dependence on imports would require a decisive shift from “one-size-fits-all” farming practices to crop-specific fertilizers.

Usoh stressed the urgent need for greater technical precision in the agricultural sector, warning that Nigeria must improve soil nutrient management to close the widening gap between food supply and demand. Wheat consumption alone is projected to rise to nearly 6.8 million tons, while yields of key staples such as maize and rice have been affected by rising input costs. At the same time, global wheat production is expected to reach record levels in the 2025/26 marketing year, highlighting the contrast between global output and Nigeria’s limited domestic production.

According to Usoh, although specialised fertilizer formulations exist for several crops grown in Nigeria, their adoption remains far below the level required to transform agricultural productivity.

“Going forward in agricultural production, the best practice is to make sure that you have customized fertilisers that meet the nutrient requirements of each plant and each geography,” Usoh said.

He explained that the company has been working with research institutions to determine precise combinations of nutrients—particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium—required for crops grown in different soils.

“We’ve done this for rice, maize, tomato and cocoa. Wheat is also one of our areas of focus because it is highly consumed and the federal government is pushing to increase local production,” he said.

Despite these efforts, translating research into practical field adoption remains a major challenge. Usoh noted that many farmers, including those in government-supported programmes, still rely heavily on generic fertilizer formulations such as 20-10-10 or 15-15-15, which may not deliver optimal yields for specific crops. He therefore called on government agencies to play a more proactive role in promoting the use of specialised fertilizers, particularly through public agricultural programmes.

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Meanwhile, Morocco’s OCP Group is bringing forward scheduled maintenance at several plants, according to Argus Media. Maintenance at some facilities will begin next week, although the company has not specified which plants will be affected first. The work is expected to impact up to 30 per cent of OCP’s second-quarter production capacity.

Morocco exported 4.40 million tons of DAP, 2.71 million tons of MAP and 2.98 million tons of TSP last year, according to Argus data.

While OCP has not provided a reason for the decision, tight supplies of sulphur and ammonia—key raw materials for phosphate production—following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz are likely to be major factors. The Middle East supplied 52 per cent of Morocco’s sulphur imports last year.

Adverse weather also disrupted operations at Moroccan ports earlier this year, constraining OCP’s production and export activities.