Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market - By Nutrient Type (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur), By Application Method (Soil, Foliar, Fertigation), By Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables), By Form (Liquid, Dry) & Forecast, 2024-2032

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market Size

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market size achieved USD 39.1 billion in 2023 and will grow at 4.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. This steady growth trajectory, propelled by key factors. The primary drivers include the swelling global population and its heightened food demands, necessitating a boost in agricultural productivity.
 

Secondary nutrients are pivotal in elevating crop yields and quality, underscoring their significance in sustainable agriculture. With soil degradation and nutrient depletion escalating due to intensive farming, the demand for these nutrients to restore soil fertility and sustain optimal crop growth has surged.
 

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that approximately 33% of the world's soil faces moderate to severe degradation from erosion, salinization, compaction, acidification, and chemical pollution. This underscores the critical role of secondary nutrients in soil rejuvenation. Furthermore, the pivot towards precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices is amplifying the market's growth, ensuring a more targeted and efficient use of nutrients, including secondary ones.
 

Government initiatives and a rising awareness of balanced crop nutrition are further fueling the market's expansion. For example, India's soil health card scheme, aimed at informing farmers about their soil's nutrient status, has significantly raised awareness about the importance of secondary nutrients. The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) notes widespread deficiencies in secondary nutrients, particularly sulfur, across many global regions, underscoring the pressing need for their application.
 

Additionally, the upsurge in organic farming and the demand for premium produce have bolstered the utilization of natural and organic sources of secondary nutrients. Technological strides in fertilizer production and application methods are enhancing nutrient delivery systems, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. As climate change alters soil conditions and crop growth patterns, the role of secondary nutrients in bolstering crop resilience is gaining recognition, further propelling market growth.
 

The agricultural sector for secondary nutrients faces challenges due to raw material price volatility and environmental concerns from excessive fertilizer use. Fluctuating raw material prices, driven by energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical events, create unpredictable production costs for fertilizer manufacturers. This unpredictability can disrupt farmers' nutrient management practices. Additionally, excessive fertilizer use raises environmental concerns, leading to water pollution, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Regulatory bodies and environmental groups are pushing for more sustainable agricultural practices. The industry must balance improved crop nutrition with environmental stewardship, driving research into efficient nutrient formulations and application methods to minimize ecological impact while maintaining productivity.
 

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market Trends

The market is witnessing several notable trends that are shaping its trajectory. There's a growing shift towards precision agriculture, where farmers are adopting technologies like GPS-guided application systems and soil sensors to optimize nutrient use efficiency. This is complemented by an increasing focus on balanced crop nutrition, recognizing the crucial role of secondary nutrients in enhancing yields and crop quality. The market is also seeing a rise in demand for organic and bio-based nutrient sources, driven by the expanding organic farming sector and environmental concerns.
 

Manufacturers are responding by developing innovative formulations that combine multiple nutrients and improve nutrient availability to plants. Additionally, there's a trend towards customized nutrient solutions tailored to specific crop needs and local soil conditions. The integration of digital technologies in agriculture is facilitating better nutrient management decisions, while climate-smart agriculture practices are emphasizing the role of secondary nutrients in building crop resilience. These trends collectively point towards a more sophisticated, efficient, and sustainable approach to agricultural nutrient management.
 

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market Analysis

The calcium nutrients segment is projected to capture USD 16.2 billion in 2023 and exhibit a 4.4% CAGR through 2032. This growth trajectory stems from various factors. Calcium is pivotal in plant development, bolstering cell wall structure, root growth, and overall plant vigor. The rising awareness of calcium's role in averting disorders like blossom end rot in tomatoes and bitter pit in apples is a key driver of demand. Furthermore, the shift towards precision agriculture and a focus on balanced crop nutrition is accentuating calcium's significance in enhancing fruit quality and prolonging shelf life. Given the prominence of calcium in the cultivation of high-value horticultural crops, demand is being further bolstered. Moreover, the increasing adoption of protected cultivation methods, such as greenhouses and hydroponics, which allow for precise nutrient management, is amplifying the need for calcium nutrients. With global concerns over soil degradation and acidification, the utilization of calcium-based soil amendments is poised to rise, further fueling the segment's growth in the foreseeable future.

The soil application segment will expand to USD 20.1 billion in 2024 and garner a 4.4% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. Several factors drive this robust expansion. Soil application, the primary method for delivering secondary nutrients, is both traditional and widely embraced. It ensures crops have access to nutrients efficiently and over an extended period. Farmers, increasingly aware of soil health's direct link to crop productivity, are pivoting towards soil-based nutrient management. Moreover, technological strides in soil testing and precision agriculture tools enhance the precision and efficiency of soil applications, curbing waste and boosting cost-effectiveness.
 

The rising adoption of conservation agriculture and sustainable farming practices further bolsters this segment, given their emphasis on balanced nutrient applications for soil fertility. Notably, government initiatives across various nations, promoting soil health and sustainable agriculture, are nudging farmers towards sound soil nutrient management practices. With global efforts escalating to combat soil degradation and enhance agricultural sustainability, the soil application segment is poised to maintain its lead in the market.
 

The agricultural secondary nutrients market serves various crop types, each with unique nutrient needs. Cereals and grains, including wheat, rice, and corn, form a significant segment due to their global cultivation and importance in food security. These crops require balanced secondary nutrients to enhance yield and quality. Oilseeds and pulses, such as soybeans, canola, and lentils, represent another crucial segment, driven by their nutritional value and industrial uses. Fruits and vegetables, as high-value crops, rely on secondary nutrients to improve quality, shelf life, and plant health. This segment is sensitive to nutrient deficiencies, requiring precise management.
 

The "Others" category, including turf grass, ornamentals, and specialty crops, has specific nutrient needs. Although smaller in volume, this segment demands premium nutrient products and specialized formulations. The diverse nutrient requirements across these crop types drive innovation in product development and application methods, contributing to the market's growth and diversification.
 

The agricultural sector offers secondary nutrients in two primary forms: liquid and dry, each catering to distinct farming practices and application preferences. Liquid formulations, popular for their easy application and rapid nutrient availability, can be mixed with irrigation water for fertigation or applied through foliar sprays, making them ideal for precision agriculture and hydroponics. However, they may incur higher transportation costs and require specialized equipment. Conversely, dry formulations, available in granular or powdered forms, provide a slower, sustained nutrient release, beneficial for long-term soil fertility. They are stable during storage, easily blended with other dry fertilizers, and favored in broadacre farming and pre-planting applications. The choice between liquid and dry forms depends on factors like crop type, soil conditions, available equipment, and specific nutrient management strategies.
 

Asia Pacific agricultural secondary nutrients market reached USD 14.6 billion in 2023 and is poised to register a CAGR of over 4.4% from 2024 to 2032. Several factors are fueling the robust growth in the secondary nutrients market. These include escalating demands for agricultural productivity, a growing emphasis on soil health and nutrient management, technological strides in fertilizer production, and government initiatives that advocate for sustainable farming. In light of challenges such as population expansion, food security, and the push for eco-friendly agricultural methods, the demand for secondary nutrients—such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur—is poised to escalate. This surge is amplified by the industry's pivot towards precision agriculture and a focus on balanced crop nutrition, both acknowledging the pivotal role secondary nutrients play in enhancing crop yields and quality.
 

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market Share

Leading the market are prominent global and regional players, each playing a pivotal role in the sector's advancement. Industry heavyweights, including Nutrien Ltd., Yara International ASA, The Mosaic Company, and ICL Group, stand out with their expansive product offerings and worldwide presence. Europe's K+S Aktiengesellschaft and EuroChem Group bolster the international arena with their specialized knowledge, while North America's influence is notably represented by Koch Industries, Inc. In Asia, companies like Coromandel International Limited, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd., and UPL Limited are meeting the region's escalating agricultural demands. Nufarm Limited brings an Oceanian perspective to the table.
 

Noteworthy niche players, such as Haifa Group, renowned for its water-soluble fertilizers, Kugler Company focusing on liquid fertilizers, and Sulphur Mills Limited, specializing in sulfur-based products, play vital roles. Completing the roster is Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd., a significant contributor to India's agricultural landscape. Together, these firms shape a competitive environment that fosters innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in the global market.
 

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Market Companies

Top companies operating in the industry include:

• Coromandel International Limited
• Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd.
• EuroChem Group
• Haifa Group
• ICL Group
• K+S Aktiengesellschaft
• Koch Industries, Inc.
• Kugler Company
• Nufarm Limited
• Nutrien Ltd.
• Sulphur Mills Limited
• The Mosaic Company
• UPL Limited
• Yara International ASA
• Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd.
   

Agricultural Secondary Nutrients Industry News

• In March 2023: Nutrien Ltd., a prominent global supplier of agricultural inputs, completed an expansion at its Redwater facility in Alberta, Canada. This enhancement specifically targets ammonium sulfate, a vital secondary nutrient in fertilizers. The move is strategic, positioning Nutrien favorably in the global market, especially in North America and the Asia Pacific. Demand for sulfur-based fertilizers is rising in these regions due to escalating sulfur deficiencies in soils.
   
• In May 2023: ICL Group, a major player in specialty minerals, forged a partnership with AgriSmart, an AgTech startup specializing in precision farming. Their joint venture is dedicated to advancing smart technologies for secondary nutrients, with a particular focus on optimizing calcium and magnesium usage in diverse crops. This collaboration underscores the growing role of technology in nutrient management, promising more efficient secondary nutrient utilization in agriculture and potentially revolutionizing application techniques in the near future.
   

The agricultural secondary nutrients market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates and forecasts in terms of revenue and volume (USD Billion) (Kilo Tons) from 2024 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Nutrition Type

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sulfur

Market, By Application

• Soil
• Foliar
• Fertigation

Market, By Crop Type

• Cereals & Grains
• Oilseeds & Pulses
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Others (Turf, Ornamentals, etc.)

Market, By Form

• Liquid
• Dry

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA