Market Trends of secondary macronutrients fertilizer Industry
The rising pressure on the agriculture sector to meet the growing demand for food is expected to increase the area under field crop cultivation
- The global agricultural sector is currently facing many challenges. According to the United Nations, the world population may exceed 9 billion by 2050. This population growth may overburden the agricultural sector, which is already experiencing an output loss due to a lack of laborers and the shrinkage of agricultural fields caused by rising urbanization. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 70% of the global population is expected to live in cities by 2050. Due to the global loss of arable land, farmers now need to utilize more fertilizers to increase crop yields.
- Asia-Pacific is the world's largest producer of agricultural products. Agriculture is critical to the region's economy, as it employs about 20% of the total available workforce. Field crop cultivation dominates the region, accounting for more than 95% of the total crop area. Rice, wheat, and corn are the major field crops produced in the region, together accounting for about 24.3% of the total crop area in 2022.
- North America ranks as the second-largest arable region across the world. Its farms cultivate a diverse range of crops, with a focus on field crops. Notably, corn, cotton, rice, soybean, and wheat are the prominent field crops, as highlighted by the USDA. In 2022, the United States commanded 46.2% of North America's crop cultivation area. However, the country witnessed a significant drop in crop acreage between 2017 and 2019, primarily due to adverse environmental conditions, leading to severe flooding in regions like Texas and Houston.
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A聽steady supply of sulfur is required from early growth stages until harvest as it is immobile in plants, and any shortage in supply can limit the yield
- The global average application rate of secondary macronutrients in field crops was 33.73 kg/ha in 2022. In the same year, the calcium application rate was about 39.20 kg/hectare, magnesium was about 34.51 kg/hectare, and sulfur application rate was 27.47 kg/hectare. Calcium aids in the absorption of other essential nutrients. Magnesium is an excellent enzyme activator that promotes plant growth and flowering. Plants require only a small amount of secondary macronutrients that cannot be replaced by any primary nutrients.
- In 2022, corn/maize recorded the highest average sulfur application rate of 34.33 kg/ha, followed by cotton at 29.72 kg/ha and rapeseed/canola at 27.57 kg/ha. A steady supply of sulfur is required from early growth stages until harvest as it is immobile in plants. At any stage of growth, a shortage of sulfur can lead to lower yields. As N, P, and K requirements have mostly been met, deficits of other nutrients have started to appear. Sulfur is the fourth most crucial nutrient after N, P, and K but is usually only needed in low quantities.
- South America, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific were the major consumers of secondary macronutrients, with the highest average nutrient application rates, accounting for 39.27 kg/ha, 32.79 kg/ha, and 32.74 kg/ha, respectively, in 2022. Growers acknowledged the importance of secondary macronutrients because they are crucial nutrients for plants, support stronger cell walls, lower bruising, and prevent disease in field crops. Although secondary macronutrients are less yield-limiting than primary macronutrients, crops need them at a rate that will optimize productivity.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- The growing demand for fruits and vegetables drives the expansion of horticulture crop cultivation
- Asia-Pacific occupies the majority of the irrigation area globally, accounting for 66.8% in 2022
- Magnesium accounted for the highest average application rate in vegetable crops among the secondary nutrients, with 48.67 kg/ha
