Market Trends of africa micronutrient fertilizer Industry
The region has the potential to double its agricultural production, and the area under field crops is expected to expand due to the rising consumption demand
- The agroecological zones in Africa span from dense rainforests with bi-annual rainfall to arid deserts with minimal precipitation. Key field crops in the region encompass corn, sorghum, wheat, and rice. In 2022, the cultivation area for these crops reached approximately 224.8 million hectares, constituting over 95% of the agricultural land in the region.
- In response to a surplus of corn stocks that led to price suppression, South African corn farmers scaled back their planting by 10% to 2.1 million hectares in the 2018-19 season. Consequently, corn production in the country dipped by 11% from 13 million to 12 million tonnes, and exports plummeted from 2.5 million to 1 million tonnes. This downward trend in corn cultivation is expected to continue in Africa for 2018-2019 as more producers pivot their fields toward oilseed crops, especially soybeans.
- Nigeria takes the lead in sorghum production in Africa, and Ethiopia is closely followed. Sorghum dominates as the primary cereal crop, accounting for 50% of the total output and occupying 45% of Nigeria's cereal cropland. With its resilience to drought and waterlogging and adaptability to diverse soil conditions, sorghum emerges as the preferred staple crop in Africa's arid regions, ensuring both food and income security.
- Kenya, Somalia, and significant parts of Ethiopia face an imminent threat of severe food shortages. Over the past decade, Africa's spending on food imports has nearly tripled despite a consistent expansion in its agricultural industry and cultivated land.
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High micronutrient deficiencies in soil have encouraged farmers to apply more micronutrients
- In 2022, zinc, iron, boron, manganese, and copper were the most consumed micronutrients, accounting for 30.9%, 30.1%, 17.3%, 16.40%, and 4.5%, respectively. Micronutrients play a crucial role in crop nutrition, as they are essential for plant growth. Insufficient levels of any micronutrient can lead to plant abnormalities, stunted growth, and reduced yields. Rice, maize, sorghum, and wheat are the primary field crops in Africa, with field crops accounting for 92.6% (490.9 thousand metric tons) of the total micronutrient consumption in 2022. The average nutrient application rates for these crops are 4.3, 3.6, 4.3, and 4.2 kg per hectare, respectively. Wheat, in particular, faces deficiencies in copper and manganese, with slight yield impacts from iron and zinc deficiencies.
- Nigeria stands out among African nations, representing 33.3% of the micronutrient fertilizer consumption in the field crop segment, valued at USD 407.15 million in 2022. South Africa follows with a 0.5% share, valued at USD 6.7 million. The remaining African countries account for the remaining 66.6% of the micronutrient market. The African micronutrient fertilizers market is poised for growth during 2023-2030, driven by a shift toward sustainable farming practices and the recognition of the importance of maintaining optimal micronutrient levels in the soil for crop growth.
- As farmers strive for higher yields per hectare, the use of micronutrients in crop production has seen a significant surge. The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, coupled with the rising demand for crops, has prompted farmers to adopt more micronutrients to improve soil health and boost crop productivity.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Africa is experiencing increasing area under cultivation due to the growing demand for high-value crops
- Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, accounted for a significant portion of irrigated land in 2022
- Soil deficiencies of the micronutrients that are essential for plant growth are one of the major challenges across Africa
