Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 23.5 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 31.5 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. |
|
Liquid Fertilizers Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The liquid fertilizers market size was USD 23.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 31.5 billion by 2030, representing a 6.10% CAGR over the period. This momentum stems from the adoption of precision irrigation, government subsidies for fertigation infrastructure, and IoT-enabled on-farm blending platforms that enhance nutrient-use efficiency while reducing waste. Producers are leveraging balanced crop-nutrition programs and drone-based micro-spray systems to widen the agronomic appeal of liquid fertilizers, while electrochemical nitrate-from-ammonia routes promise lower‐carbon production economics. Simultaneously, mounting scrutiny of PFAS in chelated micronutrients and the need for corrosion-resistant storage hardware temper growth in warmer geographies. Competitive intensity remains high as regional specialists and technology-focused entrants vie to fill formulation gaps and local supply niches.
Key Report Takeaways
- By type, straight fertilizers captured 48.2% of the liquid fertilizers market share in 2024, whereas complex grades are projected to grow at a 5.9% CAGR to 2030.
- By application mode, foliar nutrition led with 50.2% revenue share in 2024, while fertigation solutions are projected to expand at a 6.0% CAGR through 2030.
- By crop type, field crops accounted for 77.4% of the liquid fertilizers market size in 2024, and the horticultural crops segment is growing at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2025-2030.
- By geography, the Asia-Pacific accounted for 46.7% of the liquid fertilizers market size in 2024, and the Middle East and Africa segment is growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2025-2030.
Global Liquid Fertilizers Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision irrigation adoption accelerates liquid uptake | +1.8% | Global, with strongest impact in Asia-Pacific and Middle East | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rapid shift toward balanced crop nutrition programs | +1.5% | Global, particularly Europe and North America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Government subsidies favoring fertigation solutions | +1.2% | Asia-Pacific, followed by Middle East and Africa | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Growth of drone-based micro-spray fertilization platforms | +0.9% | North America and Europe, expanding to Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| On-farm IoT blending systems enabling just-in-time mixes | +0.7% | North America and Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Nitrate-from-ammonia electrolysis lowering production cost | +0.6% | Global, early adoption in Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
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Precision irrigation adoption accelerates liquid uptake
The widespread deployment of drip and micro-sprinkler systems is synchronizing water and nutrient delivery, enabling farmers to transition from granular top-dressing to in-line fertigation, which minimizes runoff and leaching. The USDA’s 2024 Fertilizer Production Expansion Program has earmarked USD 500 million for capacity that directly supports precision irrigation users, reflecting public recognition of the 15-30% nutrient-use efficiency gains seen with liquid fertilizers [1]United States Department of Agriculture, “Fertilizer Production Expansion Program,” USDA, usda.gov. In India, subsidies for drone-spraying systems, ranging from 40% to 60%, further incentivize the use of liquids for precision irrigation systems. The pairing of water-saving hardware and liquid formulations is particularly compelling in arid zones, where the technology preserves scarce resources and boosts yield per drop. Vendors now bundle variable-rate controllers, remote sensing diagnostics, and app-based scheduling to streamline the adoption process. As these packages proliferate, growers increasingly view liquid fertilizers as integral to achieving sustainability compliance and profitability targets.
Rapid shift toward balanced crop-nutrition programs
Agronomic research highlights the yield penalties associated with nutrient imbalances, shifting the conversation beyond single-nutrient fixes toward a comprehensive NPK approach, including secondary and trace elements. The International Fertilizer Association forecasts 205 million metric tons of nutrients to be consumed in 2025, with liquids accounting for a growing share due to their blend flexibility [2]International Fertilizer Association, “Global Fertilizer Consumption Forecast,” fertilizer.org. Extension agents emphasize that balanced formulations delivered via fertigation or foliar feeding heighten fruit quality indices and shelf life in high-value horticulture. Soil and tissue test adoption supplements the trend, guiding site-specific recipes that liquids readily satisfy. Meanwhile, specialty blenders tout lower salt indices and chelated micronutrients that avert antagonism in mixed tanks. Collectively, these factors cement multi-nutrient liquids as key tools for intensive, quality-driven production systems.
Government subsidies favoring fertigation solutions
Policy makers seeking nutrient stewardship and climate benefits deploy subsidies that directly lower the acquisition cost of fertigation hardware and liquid fertilizers. India’s Namo Drone Didi initiative channels funding to women-run drone cooperatives that specialize in liquid spraying. Similar schemes in China compensate growers who connect liquid injectors to state-backed greenhouse projects. In the European Union, compliance with Nitrates Directive action plans often requires precision placement technologies, de facto steering farmers toward liquid fertigation to avoid penalties. Such frameworks accelerate the payback period on capital equipment, tipping the economics in favor of liquids even for smallholders. Although subsidy intensity may taper over time, early adoption catalyzes network effects that sustain long-run demand growth.
Growth of drone-based micro-spray fertilization platforms
Unmanned aerial systems now distribute liquid nutrients at rates of 5-10 liters per hectare, reducing labor inputs and enabling access to terrains previously inaccessible to ground rigs. The FAA’s easing of beyond-visual-line-of-sight rules for agricultural drones in 2024 triggered a wave of service startups across the Corn Belt. European wine growers are utilizing swarm drones to address micronutrient deficiencies on steep slopes without compromising soil compaction. Coupled with NDVI imagery, drones enable variable-rate foliar feeding within a single flight, thereby enhancing crop quality uniformity. Manufacturers have engineered corrosion-proof tanks and quick-swap cartridges that widen the menu of compatible formulations. As drone fleets scale, subscription models for aerial nutrition emerge, embedding liquid fertilizer purchases into recurring service contracts.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High volatilization and leaching losses in warm climates | -1.4% | Global, particularly severe in tropical and subtropical regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Corrosive storage and handling infrastructure costs | -0.8% | Global, with higher impact in developing markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| PFAS contamination scrutiny on certain chelating agents | -0.6% | North America and Europe, expanding globally | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Stricter container-weight rules raising freight expense | -0.4% | Global, particularly affecting long-distance transport | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
High volatilization and leaching losses in warm climates
Field experiments conducted by Montana State University revealed that nitrogen volatilization exceeded 50% when surface-applied liquids were exposed to high temperatures and alkaline soils. Tropical monsoon patterns exacerbate leaching, dragging nutrients below root zones and eroding yield response. While urease inhibitors can mitigate losses, they inflate product cost and require precise dosing. Smallholders often lack the training or equipment to incorporate liquids promptly, further undermining efficiency. Environmental regulators in Southeast Asia now monitor nitrate runoff, exposing growers to penalties that dampen demand. These technical and compliance headwinds collectively erode momentum in the liquid fertilizers market, particularly in heat-intensive geographies.
Corrosive storage and handling infrastructure costs
Acidic or chloride-rich solutions corrode mild steel, mandating fiberglass, polyiso, or stainless equipment that lifts capital expenditure thresholds 20-40% above granular alternatives. U.S. CFR transport rules stipulate specific linings and periodic integrity tests, upping maintenance bills for distributors [3]Code of Federal Regulations, “Liquid Fertilizer Storage and Transportation Requirements,” ecfr.gov. Rural cooperatives in Africa and Southeast Asia often postpone upgrades, limiting their ability to retail liquids at scale. Where multi-product lines are stocked, segregated tanks multiply space and capital requirements. The cumulative burden depresses retailer margins and slows category penetration, especially in cash-constrained emerging markets.
Segment Analysis
By Type: Straight fertilizers underpin precision protocols
Straight products accounted for 48.2% of 2024 revenue, reflecting their utility in variable-rate systems that correct single-nutrient deficits with surgical accuracy. In 2025, nitrogenous solutions generated the largest slice of straight-product sales as they align with side-dress timing windows in cereals. The liquid fertilizers market size for straight grades is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% through 2030. Farmers value the freedom to blend straight nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium on-farm to match evolving tissue-test results, thereby sidestepping the nutrient antagonism inherent in premixed complexes.
Complex liquids still serve high-labor orchard systems, where a one-pass, multi-nutrient drench saves time; yet, they trail straight solutions in precision irrigation scenarios. The emergence of IoT proportioners enhances the versatility of straights by automating blend ratios in real-time. Supply chains also favor straights due to simpler hazard classifications and longer shelf life compared to micronutrient-rich complexes. Collectively, these factors preserve the segment’s dominance even as producers innovate chelated blends aimed at the specialty horticulture market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By Application Mode: Fertigation narrows the gap with foliar
Foliar feeds led with a 50.2% share in 2024 because drone and airplane operators can blanket large hectares quickly with micronutrient correctives. However, fertigation volumes are expanding at a 6.0% CAGR as drip and pivot systems penetrate arid regions. Growing adoption of smart emitters and moisture sensors reinforces the perception that fertigation delivers a step-change in water and nutrient use efficiency. Governments subsidize fertigation pumps and venturi injectors, thereby accelerating the installed base growth and, by extension, increasing liquid nutrient demand.
Foliar adoption remains resilient in cereals, where late-season urea-ammonium-nitrate boosts protein scores without soil disruption. Yet, as variable-rate fertigation maps mature, tree-nut and greenhouse operators increasingly divert their budgets to root-zone delivery, which sustains nutrient availability between foliar top-ups. Overall, application-mode dynamics suggest that foliar will cede an incremental share to fertigation, especially in water-stressed geographies that mandate precision irrigation.
By Crop Type: Horticulture drives premium expansion
Field crops accounted for 77.4% of global liquid volumes in 2024, as cereals and oilseeds dominate arable land. Nonetheless, horticultural crop demand is set to outpace growth with a 7.2% CAGR through 2030 as protected cultivation spreads and consumers prioritize fruit and vegetable quality. High-value produce justifies the price premium of chelated micronutrient cocktails and specialized calcium-boron blends that stave off disorders.
Greenhouse vegetable clusters in Spain, China, and Mexico are upgrading to closed-loop fertigation, capturing and recirculating drain water while dosing liquid concentrates tuned to plant phenology. Turf and ornamental customers, though niche, appreciate the uniform greening and rapid visual response afforded by liquids, which sustain double-digit growth pockets. Together, these trends pivot the volume-weighted portfolio toward crops where precision nutrition yields quality premiums rather than bulk commodity tonnage.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific preserved a 46.7% slice of global revenue in 2024 owing to China’s greenhouse boom, India’s drone-spray subsidies, and Southeast Asia’s intensive horticulture corridors. Provincial grants in China reimburse up to 30% of the investment in fertigation hardware, anchoring liquid uptake across vegetable bases. India’s paddy farmers integrate liquid urea ammonium nitrate with flood-irrigation retrofits, illustrating convergence between water-saving imperatives and nutrient precision.
The Middle East and Africa, although smaller today, is the fastest-growing region at a 6.4% CAGR. Gulf states pour sovereign funds into desert farming cities that rely on closed-loop hydroponics, inherently liquid-fertilizer intensive. African development programs co-finance solar pumps and venturi injectors, enabling smallholders to trial fertigation on tomatoes and onions, thereby enhancing income resilience against drought shocks. Donor-funded training accelerates the acquisition of agronomic knowledge, reducing perceived risk barriers.
Europe maintains mid-single-digit growth as CAP compliance prompts growers to adopt liquid placement tools that reduce nitrate leaching. Northern growers adopt liquid sulfur nitrate blends to meet protein targets while staying under environmental caps. North America enjoys a mature precision-agriculture ecosystem; farm-management platforms now integrate liquid prescriptions based on satellite imagery, driving steady replacement of granular side-dress passes. South America leverages truck-side blending hubs near soybean frontiers; EuroChem’s USD 37 million storage expansion in Brazil underpins regional supply reliability.
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Competitive Landscape
The liquid fertilizers market remains highly fragmented, with the five largest players accounting for a significant portion of the combined share. Yara International couples its proprietary N-Sensor platform with liquid UAN grades, bundling analytics and product in subscription form. SQM leverages the advantages of Chilean nitrate brine to offer potassium nitrate foliar lines specifically tailored for berry and avocado orchards. Tessenderlo Kerley expands its regional reach through the acquisitions of Tiger-Sul Products and Eastman’s Metam labels, integrating sulfur-enhanced liquids into a broader nutritional suite.
Strategic patterns reveal a shift toward platform-based competition where companies combine liquid fertilizer products with application services, agronomic support, and digital farm management tools to create differentiated value propositions. White-space opportunities exist in on-farm blending systems that enable real-time nutrient customization, with research from the University of Science and Technology of China demonstrating that intelligent sensing systems can achieve concentration accuracy exceeding 99.9% in automated blending applications.
Emerging disruptors include technology companies developing electrochemical ammonia production systems that could reduce liquid nitrogen fertilizer production costs while improving environmental sustainability, as exemplified by the FertigHy consortium's plans for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer plants in Europe. The competitive dynamics favor companies that can integrate regulatory compliance capabilities with technical innovation, particularly as PFAS scrutiny affects chelating agent formulations and transportation regulations impact distribution economics.
Liquid Fertilizers Industry Leaders
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Yara International ASA
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Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
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Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
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Grupa Azoty S.A.
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Nortox SA
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- August 2025: Tessenderlo Kerley opened its new liquid fertilizer production facility in Defiance, Ohio, enhancing manufacturing capacity to serve Midwest agricultural markets with locally produced liquid nutrition solutions.
- November 2024: Tessenderlo Kerley International inaugurated a liquid fertilizer plant at the Chemelot site in Geleen, Netherlands. The facility is designed to boost the production of liquid sulfur-based and ammonium-thiosulfate fertilizers (Thio-Sul), especially those adapted for precision agriculture and high-value crops.
- March 2024: EuroChem Group inaugurated a phosphate fertilizer complex in Serra do Salitre, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The facility, developed with an investment of nearly USD 1 billion, has an annual capacity of about one million metric tons of advanced phosphate-based fertilizers, including liquid formulations. This project enhances EuroChem’s capacity to meet the increasing demand for high-quality liquid and specialty fertilizers in Latin America.
Global Liquid Fertilizers Market Report Scope
Complex, Straight are covered as segments by Type. Fertigation, Foliar are covered as segments by Application Mode. Field Crops, Horticultural Crops, Turf & Ornamental are covered as segments by Crop Type. Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.
Type
| Complex | ||
| Straight | By Nutrient | Micronutrients |
| Nitrogenous | ||
| Phosphatic | ||
| Potassic | ||
| Secondary Macronutrients | ||
Application Mode
| Fertigation |
| Foliar |
Crop Type
| Field Crops |
| Horticultural Crops |
| Turf and Ornamental |
Geography
| 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 | |||
| Application Mode | Fertigation | ||
| Foliar | |||
| Crop Type | Field Crops | ||
| Horticultural Crops | |||
| Turf and Ornamental | |||
| Geography | 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 | |||
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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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