Foliar Fertilizer Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 21.34 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 28.72 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 6.10% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Middle East and Africa |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Foliar Fertilizer Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The foliar fertilizer market size is USD 21.34 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 28.72 billion by 2030, advancing at a 6.1% CAGR. Rapid modernization of crop nutrition, integration of precision-ag platforms, and government incentives that reward balanced fertilization underpin this growth. Asia-Pacific dominates because subsidy programs in China and India accelerate adoption. At the same time, the Middle East and Africa are the fastest-growing regions as desert farming pivots toward water-efficient nutrient delivery. Complex, multi-nutrient blends gain traction as growers look for single-pass solutions, and carbon-credit schemes that reward foliar protocols create new income streams for early adopters. Competitive intensity remains moderate; the top five suppliers command only one-third of sales, so product innovation and regional partnerships remain pivotal.
Key Report Takeaways
- By Type, straight formulations led with 50.6% of the foliar fertilizer market share in 2024, while complex blends are projected to expand at a 6.3% CAGR through 2030.
- By Crop, field crops accounted for 77.8% of the foliar fertilizer market size in 2024, yet horticultural crop is forecast to grow at a 7.3% CAGR to 2030.
- By Region, Asia-Pacific held 44.1% of global value in 2024; the Middle East and Africa are set to post a 6.5% CAGR through 2030.
Global Foliar Fertilizer Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising push toward balanced fertilization programs | +1.2% | Global, with early adoption in North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rapid adoption of precision-ag applications | +0.8% | North America, Europe, Australia, with expansion to Asia-Pacific | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Increasing high-value horticultural acreage | +0.7% | Global, concentrated in Mediterranean, California, Netherlands | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Growth of carbon-credit linked foliar nutrition schemes | +0.6% | North America, Europe, with pilot programs in Brazil | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| On-farm biostimulant blending with foliar fertilizers | +0.5% | Europe, North America, with emerging adoption in Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Nanochelated nutrient formulations lowering application rates | +0.4% | Global, with technology leaders in Israel, Netherlands, US | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Rising push toward balanced fertilization programs
Extension agencies endorse foliar feeding as a targeted method to correct micronutrient shortages without disturbing macronutrient regimes. Yield trials in corn and soybeans show 10-15% gains when foliar zinc and manganese supplement soil-applied nitrogen and phosphorus. Adherence to the 4R (Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place) framework reduces leaching, supporting regulatory compliance. Public cost-share programs in the United States reimburse up to 30% of foliar application expenses, motivating faster technology turnover. Suppliers position educational services as part of the sales package, strengthening brand loyalty and raising repeat-purchase rates.
Rapid adoption of precision-ag applications
Variable-rate sprayers, drone scouting, and IoT (Internet of Things) telemetry elevate foliar fertilizer market performance by matching dosage to in-field variability. Data-driven timing cuts over-application by 25% and improves nutrient-use efficiency. Users integrate satellite vegetation indices with weather forecasts to pinpoint the most permeable leaf stages, boosting uptake. Equipment payback periods now average three years, a threshold that persuades medium-sized farms to invest. Hardware vendors partner with fertilizer producers to bundle software licenses with nutrient packages, weaving stronger channel partnerships.
Increasing high-value horticultural acreage
Global greenhouse space has climbed 9% since 2024, lifting demand for specialty foliar blends that enhance fruit finish, color, and shelf life.[1]Source: United States Department of Agriculture, “Organic Certification Rules,” USDA.gov Foliar calcium timing, for example, lowers blossom-end rot incidence in tomatoes by 40% under hydroponics. Organic certification rules curb synthetic soil inputs, so organically approved leaf sprays fill critical nutritional gaps. Growers justify higher input spend because premium produce commands 20–30% price premiums in export markets. Technology transfer programs in Morocco and Mexico disseminate best practices, enlarging the addressable grower base for suppliers.
Growth of carbon-credit linked foliar nutrition schemes
Programs such as the Bayer Carbon Initiative compensate growers for foliar regimes that enhance root biomass and reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Verified projects receive payments of USD 15–20 per metric ton of avoided CO₂, which offsets up to 50% of foliar program costs. Remote sensing verifies protocol adherence, creating transparent audit trails. Multiyear contracts lock in product volumes for suppliers, stabilizing cash flows. Legislative support in the European Union signals potential scale-up, turning voluntary pilots into regulated market mechanisms.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility in raw-material prices for nitrates and phosphates | -0.9% | Global, with acute impact in import-dependent regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Limited crop-leaf absorption beyond critical phenological windows | -0.6% | Global, with seasonal variations by climate zone | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Residue-limit tightening for foliar micronutrients in export markets | -0.4% | Export-oriented regions, particularly EU and US markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Logistics bottlenecks for temperature-sensitive liquid products | -0.3% | Regions with inadequate cold-chain infrastructure | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatility in raw-material prices for nitrates and phosphates
Ammonium nitrate prices climbed 45% in 2024 due to energy-market turmoil, squeezing margins for liquid foliar producers that rely on high-purity inputs.[2]Source: World Bank, “Fertilizer Price Outlook Q4 2024,” WorldBank.org Forward contracts mitigate some risk, yet small manufacturers lack the credit lines to hedge. Spot sourcing forces many to ration production in peak season, disrupting supply. Industry consolidation could accelerate as bigger firms pursue economy-of-scale procurement. Regulatory reviews of phosphate exports from China inject further uncertainty into long-term planning.
Limited crop-leaf absorption beyond critical phenological windows
Cuticle thickness increases rapidly after flowering, reducing foliar nutrient uptake by up to 60% in maize and wheat. Weather swings shorten spray windows, so missed timing leads to yield penalties and wasted product. Field trials show that midday temperatures above 90°F drop uptake efficiency sharply, yet labor constraints often push spraying into those periods. Developers respond with surfactants that extend permeability, but added cost can deter price-sensitive users. Advisory apps that integrate weather alerts have started to improve decision timing, yet adoption remains partial in emerging economies.
Segment Analysis
By Type: Innovation Shifts Value Toward Complex Blends
Straight products account for 50.6% of the foliar fertilizer market share in 2024 because their single-nutrient focus offers low cost and flexible dosing. Yet complex blends show a 6.3% CAGR, indicating a stronger pull from growers who want multi-nutrient convenience. Complex nanochelated formulas extend nutrient residence time, lifting uptake by 20% compared with unchelated salts. Their tank-mix compatibility with biostimulants trims labor because one pass suffices for both nutrition and stress mitigation. Straight iron or zinc sprays remain vital for acute corrections, such as citrus greening defense, underscoring a complementary rather than exclusive relationship. Regulatory dossiers for complex products demand more residue data, creating barriers that deter low-cap ex entrants.
Suppliers upscale chelation plants in Europe and Israel to match this momentum. Marketing positions revolve around “complete crop diets,” and subscription supply contracts gain traction in greenhouse hubs. Straight products keep traction in broad-acre cereals where single-deficiency fixes suffice, especially in Argentina and Kazakhstan. Discounting pressure intensifies because commoditized salts face rising raw-material costs without parallel pricing power.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Crop Type: Horticulture Surges Ahead
Field crops dominate revenue, accounting for 77.8% of the foliar fertilizer market revenue in 2024, yet horticulture delivers the fastest gains with a 7.3% CAGR. Producers of grapes, berries, and greenhouse vegetables rely on foliar potassium and calcium timing to hit strict export grades. Trials in Dutch glasshouses show a 35% increase in shelf life for bell peppers when weekly foliar calcium is applied during color break. Field crops, meanwhile, utilize drone swaths that cover 250 acres per hour, thereby sustaining adoption by offsetting the logistics of large areas.
For row crops, spray windows synchronize with fungicide passes, so foliar fertilizers hitchhike on existing machinery, reducing incremental costs. Soybean growers in Brazil report a 5:1 return on investment for foliar boron applied at the R3 stage, validating continued spend despite commodity-price swings. Turf and ornamental markets hold niche status but remain profitable because customers pay premiums for visual quality. Golf course superintendents now favor micronized sulfur foliar feeds to maintain greens under water restrictions, signaling cross-segment knowledge transfer.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific contributed 44.1% of global revenue in 2024, as government rebate programs in China covered up to 20% of foliar purchase costs.[3]Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, “Subsidy Guidelines for Specialty Fertilizers,” Agricoop.nic.in Indian cooperatives such as Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) scaled nano-urea sprays to 3 million liters in 2025, widening farmer familiarity. Tropical climatic variability also favors split applications, so foliar feeding supplements soil regimes during monsoon leaching events. Distribution advances, including solar-powered cold stores in Vietnam, reduce spoilage for temperature-sensitive solutions. Research partnerships with state universities sharpen product localization, and e-commerce channels reach smallholder clusters. North America offers a mature but innovation-driven arena. Precision-ag connectivity and carbon-offset payments create layered incentives. Pilot projects in Iowa report that foliar sulfur combined with variable-rate nitrogen cuts total synthetic use by 12%, helping maize growers meet sustainability metrics.
Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations credit growers for emission-reducing practices, and foliar methods count toward compliance. Market-share battles hinge on advisory services; companies that bundle remote sensing analytics with product supply win renewals at double the rate of input-only vendors. Europe balances growth with regulatory constraint. The European Union Farm to Fork strategy mandates a 20% fertilizer reduction by 2030, steering funds toward high-efficiency foliar technologies that slash soil losses. Dutch horticulture pioneers foliar magnesium nitrate drip-mist systems that lift greenhouse cucumber yields 15% while maintaining low runoff. Eastern Europe emerges as a volume booster as Poland and Romania upgrade machinery fleets. Micronutrient residue thresholds tighten, forcing reformulation to comply with European Food Safety Authority limits. Suppliers that certify quickly enjoy first-mover shelf access.
The Middle East and Africa grows fastest at 6.5% CAGR. Saudi Vision 2030 funds hydroponic megafarms that lean heavily on foliar inputs to conserve desert water. Kenyan avocado exporters meet strict European residue caps using low-rate copper foliar mixes, boosting export acceptance rates. Infrastructure gaps persist, but mobile cold-chain units now reach peri-urban hubs, reducing spoilage. South Africa’s grain sector trials drone-based foliar nitrogen to offset high urea prices, showing 8% yield uplift.
Competitive Landscape
Market concentration is moderate with the top five players, Yara International ASA, The Mosaic Company, ICL Group, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited, holding a lower share of the global sales. Yara leverages its digital farming platform to cross-sell foliar packages, integrating nutrient analytics that boost renewal rates. ICL Group patents nanochelation technologies that extend leaf surface wetting by 30 minutes, a feature marketed aggressively in arid zones.
Mosaic and Nutrien capitalize on existing dealer networks to reach broad-acre growers, yet face uptake ceilings unless they diversify into precision hardware partnerships. The Andersons added liquid manufacturing capacity in Ohio, enhancing cold-chain resilience and trimming lead times in the U.S. Corn Belt.
Technology alliances shape differentiation. Drone makers integrate metering valves attuned to foliar viscosity, co-branding with fertilizer vendors. Blockchain pilots in Brazil track foliar carbon-offset data, simplifying audit compliance for multinational grain buyers. Suppliers that embed advisory apps gain sticky customer relationships; churn drops below 10% when agronomic support accompanies product sale. Despite cost inflation, the sector’s fragmented tail, over 300 regional blenders, retains relevance where localized formulations outperform global brands.
Foliar Fertilizer Industry Leaders
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ICL Group Ltd
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Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited
-
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA
-
The Mosaic Company
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Yara International ASA
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- September 2025: UPL is investing in a new foliar fertilizer technology called TReGCN, which combines traditional crop nutrition with advanced biologicals to enhance nutrient uptake and plant resilience. This innovation reflects UPL’s strategy to integrate sustainable, targeted solutions into mainstream agriculture, especially for crops facing abiotic stress and nutrient inefficiency.
- July 2025: Kan Biosys has launched ROFA specialty fertilizers and indigenous neem-based products to promote sustainable crop nutrition and pest management. These innovations aim to enhance soil health and reduce chemical dependency in Indian agriculture.
- January 2025: Haifa Group has announced the establishment of Haifa India, a new subsidiary designed to enhance access to specialty plant nutrition solutions across the country. This initiative aims to support Indian farmers by providing advanced water-soluble and foliar fertilizers, customized to meet local crop requirements and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The launch reinforces Haifa’s presence in South Asia and aligns with India’s focus on precision agriculture.
Global Foliar Fertilizer Market Report Scope
The Foliar Fertilizer Market Report is Segmented by Type (Complex and Straight), Crop Type (Field Crops, Horticultural Crops, and Turf and Ornamental), and Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).
| Complex | ||
| Straight | By Nutrient | Micronutrients |
| Nitrogenous | ||
| Phosphatic | ||
| Potassic | ||
| Secondary Macronutrients | ||
| Field Crops |
| Horticultural Crops |
| Turf and Ornamental |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia |
| Bangladesh | |
| China | |
| India | |
| Indonesia | |
| Japan | |
| Pakistan | |
| Philippines | |
| Thailand | |
| Vietnam | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| Europe | France |
| Germany | |
| Italy | |
| Netherlands | |
| Russia | |
| Spain | |
| Ukraine | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Middle East and Africa | Nigeria |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| South Africa | |
| Turkey | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |
| North America | Canada |
| Mexico | |
| United States | |
| Rest of North America | |
| South America | Argentina |
| Brazil | |
| Rest of South America |
| Type | Complex | ||
| Straight | By Nutrient | Micronutrients | |
| Nitrogenous | |||
| Phosphatic | |||
| Potassic | |||
| Secondary Macronutrients | |||
| Crop Type | Field Crops | ||
| Horticultural Crops | |||
| Turf and Ornamental | |||
| Region | Asia-Pacific | Australia | |
| Bangladesh | |||
| China | |||
| India | |||
| Indonesia | |||
| Japan | |||
| Pakistan | |||
| Philippines | |||
| Thailand | |||
| Vietnam | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Europe | France | ||
| Germany | |||
| Italy | |||
| Netherlands | |||
| Russia | |||
| Spain | |||
| Ukraine | |||
| United Kingdom | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Nigeria | ||
| Saudi Arabia | |||
| South Africa | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
| North America | Canada | ||
| Mexico | |||
| United States | |||
| Rest of North America | |||
| South America | Argentina | ||
| Brazil | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
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. |
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
