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In 2023, global fertilizer production reached a total of 207.7 million metric tons. Nitrogen fertilizers were the most substantially produced that year at 120 million metric tons, followed by phosphate fertilizers at 45 million metric tons, and potash fertilizers at 43 million metric tons. These fertilizers are indispensable for modern agriculture, as they supply essential nutrients to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields. With a growing global population, such nutrient fertilizers are critical for ensuring food security; however, their overuse can result in soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, posing long-term sustainability challenges.

Rising fertilizer consumption

The demand for chemical fertilizers worldwide has risen dramatically, increasing from 46.3 million metric tons in 1965 to 187.92 million metric tons in 2023. Nitrogen-based fertilizers also dominated consumption that year, accounting for 58 percent of the total, while phosphate and potash fertilizers represented 23 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Regional fertilizer consumption patterns highlight East Asia as the world’s largest consumer, at 57.13 million metric tons in 2023, followed by South Asia at 37.78 million metric tons. Latin America and the Caribbean also ranked high in fertilizer use, showcasing the shared global reliance on these inputs to sustain agricultural productivity.

Leading fertilizer producers’ capacities

The production of these nutrient fertilizers is supported by major global chemical companies, each with impressive capacities, ensuring the steady supply needed to support the growing global agricultural industry. Nutrien, a Canadian firm, leads globally in potassium chloride production capacity, at 21 million metric tons. The U.S.-based chemical company, CF Industries, boasts the largest ammonia plant capacity at 9.5 million metric tons, closely followed by the Norwegian chemical company, Yara International. These capacities underscore the dominance of a few major players in meeting the world's demand for critical agricultural inputs, highlighting the potential concerns about supply chain resilience in supporting food security worldwide. This becomes increasingly pertinent in-light of unanticipated geopolitical tensions or supply disruptions.