The phosphate fertilizer market was considerably altered in 2024 by a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions, fluctuations in raw materials cost, and changing agricultural demands. Throughout the year, developing nations have steadily contributed to growing demand, with the Asia-Pacific region emerging as a particularly strong industry, with the implementation of more high-yield dairy practices increasing the utilization of more fertilizer.
Guided by the comparative analysis above, the effectiveness of producing phosphate ore, as well as government support in key industries, particularly through government subsidies in India and China, benefited both domestic production and the importation of phosphate-based fertilizers.
Major discussions of 2024 focused on sustainable agriculture practices. As a result, farmers and agricultural businesses are seeking environmentally friendly alternatives, which has led to the increasing use of enhanced phosphate fertilizers with controlled nutrition systems. The analysis is based on data available until October 2023.
Industry expansion will be fueled by increasing demand. In 2025, the industry is expected to reach a value of USD 61.42 billion and is further projected to garner a revenue of USD 101.00 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 5.1%. It will continue to grow due to the growing population and the need for food security.
The current efforts to shift toward regenerative agriculture and the widespread adoption of precision farming practices will be major drivers for industry forces. World events, especially in phosphate-rich regions like North Africa and the Middle East, will impact prices and supply chain sustainability.
Industry Size Table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 61.42 billion |
| Industry Value (2035F) | USD 101.00 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.1% |
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Future Market Insights (FMI) has analyzed the phosphate fertilizer industry for the period 2015 to 2025 and provided key industry insight from stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, agronomists, and large farmers. Over 70 percent of people surveyed expected demand to grow further as issues of global food security widened and high-yield per hectare agricultural methods were adopted.
Among the trends established above, one of the most important findings was the growing use of efficient phosphate fertilizers (EEPFs). Approximately 60% of fertilizer manufacturers continue to invest in R&D for controlled-release and environmentally friendly products to prevent nutrient runoff and enhance soil quality. Distributors saw farmers' buying habits changing, too, with more requests for custom fertilizer blends based on real-time soil analysis.
However, the main worries are supply chain disruption and price volatility for raw materials. Most prominently, almost two-thirds of the stakeholders identified risks related to the supply of phosphate rock.
Tensions arise from the production and export of phosphate rock, particularly in regions of North Africa and the Middle East, where geopolitical disputes pose a significant risk to producers. Both sources also emphasized the need for diversified supply chains and increased investment in sustainable phosphate extraction and production methods to ensure long-term industry stability.
The survey reflected a generally cautiously optimistic outlook for the phosphate fertilizer industry. Demand will continue to grow, but all stakeholders agree that the standard bearers of industry performance in the coming decade will be where innovation, sustainability, and policy facilitation come together.
| Countries | Key Regulations & Policies |
|---|---|
| The United States | In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates phosphate runoff under the Clean Water Act. The USDA encourages the sound use of fertilizer through subsidy programs, such as EQIP. |
| United Kingdom | Phosphate is regulated in the UK under the Fertilizer Regulations 1991 and the Farming Rules for Water (2018) to help mitigate environmental impacts and promote balanced nutrient management. |
| France | The Eau et Agriculture Law requires reducing phosphorus use in farming next to waterways. In France, there are also incentives for organic and low-phosphate fertilizers. |
| Germany | The Fertilizer Ordinance (DüV), comparable to the EU Nitrates Directive, restricts phosphate application per soil analysis. |
| Italy | The government encourages precision agriculture practices to maximize fertilizer applications. European Union environmental regulations also impose limits on phosphate applications. |
| South Korea | The Act on the Control of Agricultural and Fisheries Pollution limits the excessive use of phosphates, supports the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers, and provides sustainable farming incentives. |
| Japan | Some laws also relate to fertilizers, like the Soil Fertilizer Law, which governs labeling as well as phosphate fertilizer quality. Japan also advocates smart farming practices that maximize fertilizer efficiency. |
| China | China's "Zero Growth Policy for Fertilizers" aims to limit the use of chemical fertilizers by promoting more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. |
| Australia & NZ | National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM) control phosphate access to sensitive water areas. New Zealand Freshwater Reforms restrict phosphorus runoff in dairy. |
| India | The policy acts as an incentive to use a balanced fertilizer. In addition, the government supports domestic production to alleviate imports dependency on excess phosphate. |
| 2020 to 2024 | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| COVID-19-led disruptions, supply chain disruptions, and volatile raw material prices created volatility for the stock industry. | Expected to stabilize as supply chain resilience improves alongside strategic phosphate mining expansion. |
| Increased Demand by Global Concerns on Food Security and Growing Adoption by Precision Farming Techniques. | Demand will continue to grow due to population growth and government-backed sustainable agriculture initiatives. |
| Geopolitical dynamics also affected phosphate supply, especially from North Africa and China. | Diversified sourcing and investments in alternative phosphate extraction methods aim to reduce supply risks. |
| The industry is shifting towards green fertilizers and controlled-release formulations. | Cutting-edge technologies in enhanced phosphorus fertilizers, precision agriculture, and regenerative agriculture. |
| Governments stepped up regulations to limit phosphate runoff and overuse. | There should be more stringent regulation of sustainable fertilizer application methods, with support for organic and slow-release phosphate fertilizers. |
The high phosphorus content of Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) has given it a lead, as it is beneficial for cereals, grains, pulses, and oilseeds. Subsidies & Precision agriculture adoption drive strong demand in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Diammonium phosphate, which is predicted to have a 46% value share in 2024 (DAP), is the most rapidly growing and extensively utilized ingredient in cereals, grains, and oilseeds, particularly in China, India, and Latin America.
New products, such as slow-release DAP, are driving efficiency and increasing adoption. Demand for Single Superphosphate (SSP) is consistent, with oilseeds, legumes, and pulses finding applications at different price points. Roberts suggests further enrichment with sulfur to meet the increasing international demand (especially in India and Africa) for low-cost SSP fertilizer manufacturers.
Hydroponics and fertigation in Europe and North America are driving the need for Triple Superphosphate (TSP), a specialty item for fruits and vegetables. Others, such as rock phosphate, water-soluble phosphates, and tailored blends, are growing in organic farming, hydroponics, and regenerative agriculture.
In the cereals and grains, the cereals and pulses (wheat, rice, maize, barley dominate) segment accounted for a 48% industry share in 2024, with very strong government support in India, China, as well as Brazil. Oilseeds, such as soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed, due to biofuels and vegetable oil demand, are the fastest-growing, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, and Canada.
In India, Canada, and Australia, pulses and legumes, such as lentils and chickpeas, have a generally stable demand, benefitting from SSP and MAP fertilizers. North American and European Fruits and Vegetables are doing well with TSP and water-soluble fertilizers with drip irrigation and hydroponics. The other, which includes forage crops, turf, and industrial crops, grows through custom phosphate blends for landscaping and sustainable urban farming.
Over two-thirds of the domestic USA phosphate fertilizer industry is underpinned by large-scale commercial farming, particularly corn, soybeans, and wheat. The country is dependent on domestic phosphate, which is also imported from Morocco and China. Phosphate runoff is being pushed over by increasingly strict environmental regulations, contributing to greater use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs).
The industry segment growth is created by precision agriculture and sustainable farming initiatives. Demand for rock phosphate-based fertilizers is also being driven by increased organic and regenerative farming practices. With the USA government advocating for climate-smart agriculture, phosphate use will likely be increasingly regulated, and e fficient application methods such as variable rate technology (VRT) will be encouraged.
Climate regulations and sustainable agriculture policies guide the phosphate fertilizers industry in the UK. And with domestic phosphate production dipping, the country relies on imports from North Africa and Russia. Precision farming and policies to apply less phosphates are responsible for the growing use of slow-release fertilizers and water-soluble phosphates.
The organic farming industry is expanding, resulting in demand for natural sources of phosphate, such as rock phosphate and bio-based fertilizers. Post-Brexit agricultural policies have further pushed for self-sufficiency in food production that will continue to underpin steady demand for phosphate fertilizer in the cultivation of wheat, barley, and oilseed rape.
As one of Europe's most productive agricultural nations, the French phosphate fertilizer industry is well-established and dominated by wheat, maize, and grapeseed cultivation. The government's regulation of phosphate applications to combat eutrophication makes low-runoff fertilizers desirable.
Increased interest in sustainable agriculture, coupled with EU Green Deal policies, is promoting the use of bio-based phosphate fertilizers and precise nutrient management. Interest in the circular economy is also growing as France pursues phosphate recycling technologies. TSP and MAP continue to be widely used for high-value crop production and vineyard applications.
Stringent European Union environmental laws and sophisticated agricultural practices constrain Germany's phosphate fertilizer industry. There is a growing movement among farmers to embrace phosphate efficiency programs that link soil testing with precision application and fertigation technologies. The country is investing in recovering phosphate from wastewater, thereby decreasing the need to import phosphate rock.
The growth of organic farming is also fuelled by demand for natural phosphate sources. Key crops such as wheat, barley, and sugar beets drive phosphate consumption. Germany is aligning with sustainability targets, including the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, which advocates for the use of enhanced-efficiency phosphate fertilizers to reduce environmental impact and improve nutrient management.
In South Korea, intensive vegetable farming, rice cultivation, and greenhouse agriculture drive the phosphate fertilizer industry. The country largely relies on imports from Morocco and China due to its scarcity of domestic phosphate. The government has recently not officially called for the use of precision farming and controlled-release fertilizers to increase nutrient use phase capacity.
The rising demand for hydroponics & vertical farming is spurring the use of water-soluble phosphates. To mitigate reliance on imports, South Korea is working on phosphate recycling projects. Anticipated sustainable agriculture policies are likely to spur phosphate-efficient fertilizers and cropping systems in the years ahead.
China is the world’s biggest producer and consumer of phosphate fertilizers, with a global industry share of 33% in 2024, which is mainly needed in rice, wheat, and maize farming. Restrictions on phosphate use have been implemented by the government to prevent soil degradation and to avoid polluting the water.
There is a growing trend in the industry towards phosphate-efficient fertilizers, tailored blends, and coated DAP formulations. China is another player looking to cater to global demand, particularly in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa, which are largely phosphate fertilizers. Research on phosphate recycling and precision agriculture is gaining momentum, paving the way for sustained growth at a reduced environmental cost.
Phosphate fertilizers are consumed in massive amounts in the wheat, barley, and pasture cropping industries here in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, SSP is also in demand, especially for legume and pasture crops, with DAP and MAP predominating in cereal production. Dairy farming and sustainable land management drive New Zealand’s phosphate industry.
Both countries are currently implementing programs that enhance precision agriculture and phosphorus efficiency, allowing for more efficient fertilizer usage. Phosphate rock imports from North Africa are crucial, but interest in alternative and organic sources of phosphate is growing.
Phosphate fertilizers are among the biggest consumers in India, driven by the demand for rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds. So, DAP and SSP are given by the government at a subsidized price to small and medium-scale farmers. India is a key industry for imports of phosphate rock from two major suppliers-China and Morocco.
The phenomenon has raised soil degradation concerns and promoted balanced fertilizer application strategies. In high-value crops, the adoption of personalized phosphate blends and water-soluble fertilizers is increasing. The phosphate fertilizer industry in India is projected to grow further as consumption of food increases, and agriculture intensifies, while efficient and sustainable use of fertilizers is also being prioritized.
The global phosphate fertilizers industry size was estimated at USD 68.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% during the forecast period. Here’s a breakdown of the top players-and their projected industry shares-by 2024
Nutrien Ltd.
Industry Share: ~20%
Nutrien is one of the largest international providers of crop inputs and services. It produces phosphate fertilizers. It is a leader in North America, South America, and other important agricultural regions.
The Mosaic Company
Industry Share: ~18%
Mosaic is a producer of concentrated phosphate and potash fertilizers. The company has sizable operations across both North and South America, as well as Asia.
OCP Group
Industry Share: ~15%
OCP Group is a Moroccan state-owned company and among the largest producers of phosphate and phosphate-based fertilizers in the world. The company has a notable footprint across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Yara International ASA
Industry Share: ~12%
Yara is a Norwegian chemical company that produces nitrogen- and phosphate-based fertilizers. It operates primarily in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
EuroChem Group
Industry Share: ~10%
EuroChem is a Swiss-based chemical company that is one of the world's leading producers of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash fertilizers. The firm is well-established in Europe and Asia.
Other Players
Industry Share: ~25%
When it comes to the remaining segment of the industry, it is shared by smaller regional players as well as emerging entrants, many of whom target niche industries or specialized fertilizer products.
Expansion of Production Capacity Nutrien
Nutrien expands USA phosphate production capacity. This position is in line with the growing trend of high-efficiency fertilizers in the global industry and strengthens Nutrien's leadership status.
Mosaic's Partnership Deal in Brazil
Mosaic also partnered with Brazilian agricultural cooperatives to expand the distribution network in South America. With this collaboration, the company will be able to augment its reach in the area.
The Increasing Role of Customized Fertilizers: OCP Group
OCP Group introduces a range of customized phosphate fertilizers adapted to the specificities of crops and soils. This will , in turn, increase crop yields and soil health.
Yara's Acquisition in Europe
Yara, a global producer of crop nutrition and one of the largest producers of nitrogen-based fertilizers, announced that it had bought another small producer in Europe. Part of Yara's product range would come under this acquisition, likely cementing its industry position further.
Expansion of EuroChem production capacity in Russia
EuroChem increased its output of phosphate fertilizers in Russia to meet growing demand in Eastern Europe and Asia. This expansion will bolster EuroChem's capabilities and extend its industry reach.
Global food demand has a significant impact on the phosphate fertilizer industry, as it is essential for improving soil fertility and crop production. A growing world population (9.7 billion by 2050) and the need for sustainable agricultural productivity ensure that phosphate-based fertilizer demand remains high in the long run.
Fertilizer consumption is rising in many developing economies, mainly in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa, as they strive to boost food production. Commodity prices such as natural gas and phosphate rock are important factors affecting production costs and price increases in key areas.
General geopolitical tensions, particularly in China, Morocco, and Russia, impact global phosphate supply chains. Supply deficiencies and price fluctuations are consequences of trade barriers and export quotas in these regions.
Environmental issues are also shaking up the industry, as governments around the world-in response to climate change and sustainability policies-are imposing limits on phosphate runoff water pollution. This shift is propelling the even wider use of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers and phosphate recycling tech.
Currency exchange rates, inflation, and global trade agreements influence the industry, as phosphate fertilizers are highly sought-after commodities. Over the long term, precision farming technologies, organic fertilizers, and phosphate alternatives will take center stage in determining the course of the industry.
There are various opportunities in the phosphate fertilizer industry due to several factors, like global demand for food, the sustainable agriculture trend, technological advancements, and others. Areas for expansion include:
Agricultural practices are evolving to tackle global challenges, such as nutrient runoff, by optimizing fertilizer use and improving soil health. Data-driven farming also includes developing other solutions, such as AI and IoT-based soil monitoring, to improve phosphorus management.
Sustainable and organic fertilizers The growing transition to a more sustainable and organic production network has created a demand for rock phosphate, bio-based phosphates, and phosphate recycling solutions. The phosphate industry will benefit from low-impact extraction and manufacturing methods.
The rapid agricultural expansion in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia can provide considerable growth opportunities. Local partnerships will help to secure industry share in these regions. Phosphate recycling from wastewater and industrial products can also provide insights for sustainable long-term investments.
Soil nutrient depletion and population growth are increasing food production needs.
The consumption of phosphate fertilizers is prominent across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe.
Tightened regulations curtail overuse, encouraging sustainable and targeted approaches.
The industry is shifting toward ethical sourcing, phosphate recycling, and innovative nutrient delivery methods.
OCP Group, The Mosaic Company, Nutrien Ltd., Yara International, CF Industries Holdings, Inc., PhosAgro, ICL Group Ltd., Incitec Pivot Limited, EuroChem Group, and Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden).
The industry is segmented into mono ammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), single superphosphate (SSP), triple superphosphate (TSP), and others.
It is segmented into cereals and grains, oilseeds, pulses and legumes, fruits and vegetables, and others.
It is fragmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Russia and Belarus, Balkan and Baltic, South Asia Pacific, East Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
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