Europe Fertilizers Market Size and Share

Europe Fertilizers Market (2025 - 2030)
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Europe Fertilizers Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Europe fertilizers market size is valued at USD 55.3 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 72.3 billion by 2030, expanding at a 5.51% CAGR. Robust demand stems from the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy eco-schemes, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and investments in announced green-ammonia projects that will reconfigure nitrogen supply. Accelerated adoption of controlled-release and water-soluble products, growing investments in renewable energy–powered production, and the rebound in cereal acreage after the 2024 price rally further support growth. Producers face cost-side headwinds from natural-gas price volatility but are responding through vertical integration and renewable feedstock strategies. The Europe fertilizers market displays a fragmented concentration, with the top five firms controlling a minor share of the market size.

Key Report Takeaways

  • Straight fertilizers held 77.6% of the Europe fertilizers market share in 2024, and are on track to expand at a 5.63% CAGR to 2030.
  • Conventional formulations accounted for 86.9% of the Europe fertilizers market size in 2024 and specialty formulations are forecast to grow at the fastest 5.89% CAGR through 2030. 
  • Soil application represented 87.9% of the Europe fertilizers market size in 2024, whereas fertigation is projected to advance at a 5.72% CAGR between 2025 and 2030. 
  • Field crops commanded 84.1% of the Europe fertilizers market share in 2024, but horticultural crops are positioned for a 5.59% CAGR to 2030. 
  • By geography, Russia led with 21.2% of the Europe fertilizers market share in 2024 and it is forecast to post the highest 6.74% CAGR through 2030. 

Segment Analysis

By Type: Straight Fertilizers Dominate Despite Specialty Growth

Straight fertilizers captured 77.6% of the Europe fertilizers market share in 2024, which is also the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 5.63% during the forecast period. Within this category, nitrogenous products are the primary nutrient input for wheat, corn, and rapeseed. The Europe fertilizers market size for complex fertilizers is growing because labor savings and single-pass convenience resonate with large German and French farms. Specialty micronutrient blends command premiums as soil tests reveal widespread zinc and boron deficiencies. Market participants invest in regional blending hubs to tailor nutrient ratios and improve delivery speed, supporting a modest but steady expansion of complex formulations.

With enhanced emission rules pushing for nutrient-use efficiency, ammonium nitrate is gaining share in emission-sensitive zones due to its lower volatilization potential. Urea remains dominant in Eastern Europe, where price sensitivity prevails. Secondary macronutrients such as sulfur experience heightened interest because sulfur deficits limit nitrogen uptake. Suppliers bundle secondary nutrients into NPK compounds to protect their share against specialty entrants. Overall, the segment’s growth trajectory aligns with the broader adoption of balanced nutrition strategies and precision application technologies.

Europe Fertilizers Market: Market Share by Type

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

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By Form: Specialty Formulations Lead Innovation

Conventional formulations accounted for 86.9% of the Europe fertilizers market size in 2024, and specialty formulations are forecast to grow at the fastest 5.89% CAGR through 2030. The Europe fertilizers market size for controlled-release coatings is expanding as polymer-coated urea demonstrates 10% yield gains in greenhouse tomatoes across Spain. Water-soluble grades serve high-density Dutch greenhouses that feed nutrients via drip systems. Liquid formulations support variable-rate aerial and tractor applications, allowing on-the-go adjustments based on sensor data. Slow-release products thrive in turf management where public green standards favor fewer applications.

Conventional granules still dominate bulk field crops because of price advantage and embedded equipment fleets. Tightening nutrient thresholds pushes growers toward specialty formulations that reduce losses and meet compliance targets. Innovators focus on biodegradable coatings and dual-nutrient release mechanisms to broaden appeal. ESG-conscious food brands prefer produce cultivated with enhanced-efficiency nutrients, influencing input choices across supply chains. Sustained R&D investment underlines the segment’s role as the innovation engine of the Europe fertilizers market.

By Application Mode: Soil Applications Remain Dominant

Soil broadcasting and banding retained a 87.9% share in 2024 because mechanized equipment covers large acreages efficiently. Banded placement rises where phosphorus efficiency matters, particularly in precision-tilled German cornfields. The Europe fertilizers market size for fertigation is accelerating with a CAGR of 5.72% as greenhouse acreage grows across the Netherlands and Nordic countries. Integrated systems combine water and nutrients at root-zone intervals, enhancing uptake and reducing leaching. Foliar sprays, while niche, gain traction in stress mitigation during heat waves and drought episodes common in Mediterranean orchards.

Advancements in spreader telemetry enable real-time rate adjustments during soil applications, narrowing performance gaps with fertigation. Nonetheless, water-scarce regions favor fertigation because it pairs irrigation conservation with precise nutrient delivery. Suppliers develop formulations compatible with micro-irrigation hardware, including low-clogging liquid products. The rise of drone-based foliar nutrition offers new delivery avenues, although regulatory frameworks remain under development.

Europe Fertilizers Market: Market Share by Application Mode
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By Crop Type: Field Crops Drive Volume Demand

Field crops absorbed 84.1% of Europe fertilizers market volume in 2024, with wheat alone using around 35% of total nutrients. Intensifying corn production in Poland and Hungary boosts phosphorus and potassium consumption. The Europe fertilizers market size for horticultural crops is smaller but expanding at a 5.59% CAGR, owing to high-value returns that justify premium specialty inputs. Protected cultivation systems in Spain and the Netherlands demonstrate nutrient application rates triple those of field crops, supporting water-soluble and liquid fertilizer uptake.

Urbanization drives turf and ornamental demand for slow-release products that minimize maintenance. Berry and orchard growers invest in micronutrient and biostimulant packages to enhance fruit quality, aligning with supermarket specifications. As consumer preferences shift toward fresh produce, horticultural expansion will gradually lift specialty fertilizer penetration and diversify product mixes.

Geography Analysis

Europe Fertilizers Market in Russia

Russia led the Europe fertilizers market with a 21.2% share in 2024, despite sanctions that redirected trade flows, and is on a 6.74% CAGR path as government programs subsidize fertilizer use to maintain the export competitiveness of grain. Germany and France jointly account for impressive percentage of regional revenue, driven by intensive production systems that value precision inputs and environmental compliance. German growers accelerate the adoption of stabilized nitrogen, while French farmers expand complex NPK usage across diversified crop portfolios.

The Netherlands, despite its relatively small agricultural area, represents a disproportionately large fertilizer market due to its intensive greenhouse industry and high-value crop production systems. Dutch greenhouse operations consume an average of 400 kg of nutrients per hectare annually, significantly higher than field crop applications, driving demand for water-soluble and liquid fertilizers that can be precisely delivered through fertigation systems.

Spain and Italy together account for a modest share of European fertilizer consumption, with Mediterranean climate conditions and diverse crop portfolios creating demand for specialized products that address soil alkalinity and water stress challenges. Eastern European countries, including Poland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic, demonstrate the highest growth rates as agricultural modernization and EU accession drive intensification of production practices and adoption of advanced fertilizer technologies.

Competitive Landscape

Top Companies in Europe Fertilizers Market

The Europe fertilizers market displays a fragmented concentration with the top five firms controlling a minor share of the market size. Yara International is among the top players in the market owing to vertically integrated production and a dense distribution lattice. OCI Global is expanding via the acquisition of Fertiglobe’s European assets. EuroChem, CF Industries, and ICL Group round out the top bracket, highlighting fragmentation.

Competitive advantage is shifting toward sustainability credentials and digital agronomy services. Companies invest in renewable-energy ammonia plants to secure low-carbon product portfolios and meet retailer supply-chain targets. Patent activity in polymer coatings and nutrient stabilizers doubled in 2024, evidencing innovation pressure. 

Digital platforms offering field-specific recommendations help suppliers lock in input sales and collect data for product development. Regulatory compliance costs favor well-capitalized incumbents, yet regional specialists thrive by tailoring blends to local agronomic nuances.

Europe Fertilizers Industry Leaders

  1. CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

  2. EuroChem Group

  3. Yara International ASA

  4. OCI Global N.V.

  5. ICL Group

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Europe Fertilizers Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • June 2024: Yara International inaugurated a 24 MW green hydrogen plant at Herøya Industrial Park in Porsgrunn, Norway, developed and built by Linde Engineering. The plant produces around 10,000 kg of renewable hydrogen per day to replace natural gas in ammonia production, reducing approximately 41,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. This milestone supports Yara’s transition toward low-carbon fertilizers under its Yara Climate Choice portfolio.
  • February 2023: OCI Global and NuStar Energy L.P. have agreed to deliver Ammonia into the Midwest. Through this agreement, OCI Global (“OCI”) to transport ammonia on a new segment of NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership L.P.’s (“NuStar”) Ammonia Pipeline System. OCI has committed a capital expenditure of USD 30 million to facilitate this project on new ammonia cooling and storage facilities.

Table of Contents for Europe Fertilizers Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study
  • 1.3 Research Methodology

2. REPORT OFFERS

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY FINDINGS

4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

  • 4.1 Acreage of Major Crop Types
    • 4.1.1 Field Crops
    • 4.1.2 Horticultural Crops
  • 4.2 Average Nutrient Application Rates
    • 4.2.1 Micronutrients
    • 4.2.1.1 Field Crops
    • 4.2.1.2 Horticultural Crops
    • 4.2.2 Primary Nutrients
    • 4.2.2.1 Field Crops
    • 4.2.2.2 Horticultural Crops
    • 4.2.3 Secondary Macronutrients
    • 4.2.3.1 Field Crops
    • 4.2.3.2 Horticultural Crops
  • 4.3 Agricultural Land Equipped for Irrigation
  • 4.4 Regulatory Framework
  • 4.5 Value Chain and Distribution Channel Analysis
  • 4.6 Market Drivers
    • 4.6.1 EU CAP eco-schemes boosting balanced fertilization
    • 4.6.2 Surge in specialty fertilizer adoption for precision farming
    • 4.6.3 Rebound in cereal acreage after 2024 price rally
    • 4.6.4 Green-ammonia investments cutting supply-chain emissions
    • 4.6.5 CBAM-driven reshoring of nutrient production
    • 4.6.6 Rise of controlled-environment farms in Northern Europe
  • 4.7 Market Restraints
    • 4.7.1 Tightened nitrate and ammonia emission caps
    • 4.7.2 Natural-gas price volatility inflating production costs
    • 4.7.3 Rapid uptake of biostimulant substitutes
    • 4.7.4 East-Europe logistics and sanction disruptions

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE AND VOLUME)

  • 5.1 Type
    • 5.1.1 Complex
    • 5.1.2 Straight
    • 5.1.2.1 Micronutrients
    • 5.1.2.1.1 Boron
    • 5.1.2.1.2 Copper
    • 5.1.2.1.3 Iron
    • 5.1.2.1.4 Manganese
    • 5.1.2.1.5 Molybdenum
    • 5.1.2.1.6 Zinc
    • 5.1.2.1.7 Others
    • 5.1.2.2 Nitrogenous
    • 5.1.2.2.1 Ammonium Nitrate
    • 5.1.2.2.2 Anhydrous Ammonia
    • 5.1.2.2.3 Urea
    • 5.1.2.2.4 Others
    • 5.1.2.3 Phosphatic
    • 5.1.2.3.1 DAP
    • 5.1.2.3.2 MAP
    • 5.1.2.3.3 SSP
    • 5.1.2.3.4 TSP
    • 5.1.2.3.5 Others
    • 5.1.2.4 Potassic
    • 5.1.2.4.1 MoP
    • 5.1.2.4.2 SoP
    • 5.1.2.4.3 Others
    • 5.1.2.5 Secondary Macronutrients
    • 5.1.2.5.1 Calcium
    • 5.1.2.5.2 Magnesium
    • 5.1.2.5.3 Sulfur
  • 5.2 Form
    • 5.2.1 Conventional
    • 5.2.2 Specialty
    • 5.2.2.1 Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF)
    • 5.2.2.2 Liquid Fertilizer
    • 5.2.2.3 Slow-Release Fertilizer (SRF)
    • 5.2.2.4 Water-Soluble
  • 5.3 Application Mode
    • 5.3.1 Fertigation
    • 5.3.2 Foliar
    • 5.3.3 Soil
  • 5.4 Crop Type
    • 5.4.1 Field Crops
    • 5.4.2 Horticultural Crops
    • 5.4.3 Turf and Ornamental
  • 5.5 Geography
    • 5.5.1 France
    • 5.5.2 Germany
    • 5.5.3 Italy
    • 5.5.4 Netherlands
    • 5.5.5 Russia
    • 5.5.6 Spain
    • 5.5.7 Ukraine
    • 5.5.8 United Kingdom
    • 5.5.9 Rest of Europe

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Key Strategic Moves
  • 6.2 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.3 Company Landscape
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (Includes Global-level Overview, Market-level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Yara International ASA
    • 6.4.2 OCI Global N.V.
    • 6.4.3 EuroChem Group
    • 6.4.4 ICL Group
    • 6.4.5 CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
    • 6.4.6 Grupa Azoty S.A.
    • 6.4.7 Haifa Group
    • 6.4.8 YILDIRIM Group
    • 6.4.9 Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
    • 6.4.10 Achema AB (Achemos Grupė)
    • 6.4.11 PhosAgro PJSC
    • 6.4.12 Fertiberia, S.A. (Triton)
    • 6.4.13 K+S Aktiengesellschaft
    • 6.4.14 Uralchem JSC
    • 6.4.15 Timac Agro (Groupe Roullier)

7. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR FERTILIZER CEOS

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Europe Fertilizers Market Report Scope

Complex, Straight are covered as segments by Type. Conventional, Speciality are covered as segments by Form. Fertigation, Foliar, Soil are covered as segments by Application Mode. Field Crops, Horticultural Crops, Turf & Ornamental are covered as segments by Crop Type. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom are covered as segments by Country.
Type
Complex
Straight Micronutrients Boron
Copper
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Zinc
Others
Nitrogenous Ammonium Nitrate
Anhydrous Ammonia
Urea
Others
Phosphatic DAP
MAP
SSP
TSP
Others
Potassic MoP
SoP
Others
Secondary Macronutrients Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Form
Conventional
Specialty Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF)
Liquid Fertilizer
Slow-Release Fertilizer (SRF)
Water-Soluble
Application Mode
Fertigation
Foliar
Soil
Crop Type
Field Crops
Horticultural Crops
Turf and Ornamental
Geography
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Russia
Spain
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
Type Complex
Straight Micronutrients Boron
Copper
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Zinc
Others
Nitrogenous Ammonium Nitrate
Anhydrous Ammonia
Urea
Others
Phosphatic DAP
MAP
SSP
TSP
Others
Potassic MoP
SoP
Others
Secondary Macronutrients Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Form Conventional
Specialty Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF)
Liquid Fertilizer
Slow-Release Fertilizer (SRF)
Water-Soluble
Application Mode Fertigation
Foliar
Soil
Crop Type Field Crops
Horticultural Crops
Turf and Ornamental
Geography France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Russia
Spain
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Rest of Europe
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Market Definition

  • MARKET ESTIMATION LEVEL - Market Estimations for various types of fertilizers has been done at the product-level and not at the nutrient-level.
  • NUTRIENT TYPES COVERED - Primary Nutrients: N, P and K, Secondary Macronutrients: Ca, Mg and S, Micronutients: Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mo, B, and Others
  • AVERAGE NUTRIENT APPLICATION RATE - This refers to the average volume of nutrient consumed per hectare of farmland in each country.
  • CROP TYPES COVERED - Field Crops: Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Fiber Crops Horticulture: Fruits, Vegetables, Plantation Crops and Spices, Turf Grass and Ornamentals
Keyword Definition
Fertilizer Chemical substance applied to crops to ensure nutritional requirements, available in various forms such as granules, powders, liquid, water soluble, etc.
Specialty Fertilizer Used for enhanced efficiency and nutrient availability applied through soil, foliar, and fertigation. Includes CRF, SRF, liquid fertilizer, and water soluble fertilizers.
Controlled-Release Fertilizers (CRF) Coated with materials such as polymer, polymer-sulfur, and other materials such as resins to ensure nutrient availability to the crop for its entire life cycle.
Slow-Release Fertilizers (SRF) Coated with materials such as sulfur, neem, etc., to ensure nutrient availability to the crop for a longer period.
Foliar Fertilizers Consist of both liquid and water soluble fertilizers applied through foliar application.
Water-Soluble Fertilizers Available in various forms including liquid, powder, etc., used in foliar and fertigation mode of fertilizer application.
Fertigation Fertilizers applied through different irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, micro irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, etc.
Anhydrous Ammonia Used as fertilizer, directly injected into the soil, available in gaseous liquid form.
Single Super Phosphate (SSP) Phosphorus fertilizer containing only phosphorus which has lesser than or equal to 35%.
Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Phosphorus fertilizer containing only phosphorus greater than 35%.
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers Fertilizers coated or treated with additional layers of various ingredients to make it more efficient compared to other fertilizers.
Conventional Fertilizer Fertilizers applied to crops through traditional methods including broadcasting, row placement, ploughing soil placement, etc.
Chelated Micronutrients Micronutrient fertilizers coated with chelating agents such as EDTA, EDDHA, DTPA, HEDTA, etc.
Liquid Fertilizers Available in liquid form, majorly used for application of fertilizers to crops through foliar and fertigation.
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: IDENTIFY KEY VARIABLES: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country.
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
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