Market Trends of middle east & africa specialty fertilizer Industry
Deterioration of agricultural lands due to erosion caused by wind and water will pose a challenge in cultivating crops in the region.
- In countries in the Middle East & Africa, field crops such as corn, rice, sorghum, and soybeans are typically sown in April-May and harvested between September and October. Agriculture in the region faces significant challenges, including scarcity of land and water. Both rain-fed and irrigated lands are deteriorating due to erosion from wind and water, exacerbated by unsustainable farming practices. Field crops occupy a dominant position, accounting for 90% of the region's agricultural land. In 2022, the total area under field crop cultivation in the region reached 249 million hectares, marking a 3.9% increase from 2017. Corn alone commands a significant share, covering 17.8% of the total field crop area. Wheat cultivation area witnessed a 4.6% rise from 2017 to 2022. Specifically, the region's corn cultivation area was 44.3 million hectares in 2022.
- Nigeria leads in sorghum production, followed by Ethiopia in Africa. Sorghum, a vital cereal crop, constitutes 50% of Nigeria's total cereal output and occupies approximately 45% of the land dedicated to cereal production. Sorghum's resilience to drought and waterlogging, along with its adaptability to diverse soil conditions, makes it a preferred staple crop in the drier regions of the Middle East & Africa, ensuring food and income security.
- The region has witnessed a population growth of over 23% in the last decade. Despite limited production capacity, the forecast indicates a rise in food imports. However, the agricultural sector has consistently expanded, paralleled by an increase in cultivated land.
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The arid climate leads to a faster depletion of nitrogen in the soil, making it a crucial nutrient for agricultural productivity.
- Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are primary nutrients crucial for plant growth. Nitrogen and phosphorous are integral to proteins and nucleic acids, key components of plant tissue. Meanwhile, potassium significantly influences the quality of harvested crops. Field crops, on average, receive an application rate of 174.4 kg per hectare for these primary nutrients.
- Specifically, the average application rates for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in field crops across the Middle East & Africa stood at 234.8 kg/hectare, 127.4 kg/hectare, and 161.0 kg/hectare, respectively. The Middle East & Africa predominantly cultivate major field crops like wheat, sorghum, rice, and corn. In 2022, the average application rates for primary nutrients in these crops were 144.5 kg/hectare, 162.9 kg/hectare, 152.6 kg/hectare, and 245.24 kg/hectare, respectively.
- Of the primary nutrients, nitrogen dominates consumption in the Middle East & Africa, reaching 1.7 million metric tons in 2022. Nitrogen is the most crucial nutrient for crop yields, and given the prevalent deficiency of nitrogen in regional soils, it has become the most widely applied fertilizer. This dominance is driven by the region's substantial field crop area, comprising around 95.0% of the total, and the resulting high demand for primary nutrients. This emphasis on self-sufficiency and reducing import reliance underscores the growing market for field crops in the region.
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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.
- In soils with varying pH levels, chelating agents like DTPA are employed to enhance manganese uptake
- Calcium essential for plant tissue development and overall plant growth
- The practice of irrigation is most prevalent in countries like Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, accounting for 24.5%, 12.1%, and 10.4%, respectively, of the total irrigated land area in 2022
- Foliar application is used to combat manganese and iron deficiencies in the region
- Nitrogen is applied in a higher quantity to support the rapid vegetative growth and fruit production in horticultural crops.
- Magnesium is the most consumed nutrient by vegetable crops in the region
