Market Trends of middle east & africa micronutrient fertilizer Industry
Deterioration of both rain-fed and irrigated lands due to erosion pose a challenge in crop cultivation.
- In the Middle East & Africa, field crops such as corn, rice, sorghum, and soybeans are typically planted between April and May, with harvests taking place in September and October. However, the agricultural sector in this region faces significant challenges. Land and water resources are scarce and rain-fed and irrigated lands are deteriorating due to erosion from wind and water, which is exacerbated by unsustainable farming practices. Field crops dominate the agricultural landscape, occupying 90% of the total agricultural land in the region. In 2022, the region's field crop cultivation area reached 249 million hectares, marking a 3.9% increase from 2017. Corn alone commands a substantial share, accounting for 17.8% of the total field crop area. Wheat cultivation also saw a notable rise, with a 4.6% increase between 2017 and 2022. Specifically, the region's corn cultivation area reached 44.3 million hectares in 2022.
- In Africa, Nigeria takes the lead as the largest sorghum producer, closely followed by Ethiopia. Sorghum stands out as the primary cereal crop, contributing to 50% of the total cereal output in Nigeria and occupying approximately 45% of the cereal cropland. Sorghum's resilience to drought and waterlogging, coupled with its adaptability to diverse soil conditions, positions it as the preferred staple crop in the drier regions of the Middle East & Africa, ensuring both food and income security.
- Over the past decade, the region has witnessed a population growth of over 23%. Despite limited production capacity, the forecast indicates a rise in food imports. However, the agricultural industry has remained robust, with an expanding footprint in terms of cultivated land.
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The acidic soils with high manganese content, under moist environmental conditions, results in iron deficiency
- Plant nutrition relies on micronutrients, which are essential for growth. Insufficient micronutrients can hinder plant growth and reduce yields. Micronutrient fertilizers containing trace elements like boron, copper, manganese, zinc, and cobalt are crucial for plants, each at varying levels. In 2022, field crops in the region had a significant demand for manganese, copper, and zinc, with consumption rates of 10.8 kg/hectare, 7.14 kg/hectare, and 6.73 kg/hectare, respectively.
- In 2022, Africa had a total field crop cultivation area of 228.3 million hectares. Notably, crops like soybean, rapeseed, cotton, and sorghum had the highest average nutrient application rates, ranging from 4.44 kg/hectare to 4.34 kg/hectare. South Africa, known for its prominent commercial farming sector, heavily relies on micronutrients in agriculture. Soil analysis is a common practice, followed by corrective measures like incorporating micronutrients into fertilizers or using foliar applications.
- Soybean, in particular, stood out in 2022 with the highest average nutrient consumption rates, utilizing 12.15 kg/hectare of manganese and 7.2 kg/hectare of copper. Through foliar applications, the region also addresses manganese deficiencies, which impact wheat and other field crops. The acidic soils, prevalent in the region's moist environment, often lead to iron deficiencies, remedied by foliar sprays or iron chelate applications. To tackle these challenges, micronutrients are increasingly being applied via foliar sprays, a trend expected to continue during the 2023-2030 period.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Horticultural crops has high economic value and require less water for the entire crops cycle, making it the most preferred crop for farmers.
- The practice of irrigation is most prevalent in countries like Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, accounting for 24.5%, 12.1%, and 10.4% of the total irrigated land area in 2022
- Although the Middle East & Africa is rich in mineral reserves, the production market of copper micronutrient fertilizers is not very strong
