Report

The Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market size is estimated at 145.1 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 210.1 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.69% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Micronutrient deficiencies in the region's soils may drive the market


- Zinc, the most widely consumed micronutrient fertilizer in the region, accounted for 30.7% of the total consumption in the year 2022. Its prominence is attributed to its role in enhancing crop yields. African countries grappling with socio-economic challenges, such as malnutrition, are striving to boost productivity. Notably, zinc deficiency is prevalent in the region's agricultural soils, further driving up the demand for zinc fertilizers.
- Boron, the second most consumed micronutrient fertilizer in Africa, saw a volume consumption of 23.0 thousand metric tons in the year 2022, capturing a 24.8% market share. It plays a crucial role in early-stage root development and activating enzymes that aid in the uptake of major nutrients like potassium, potentially bolstering its market prospects.
- Iron, the third most consumed micronutrient fertilizer in Africa, constituted 19.5% of the total consumption and 11.7% of the market value in the year 2022. Its usage is propelled by prevalent nutrient deficiencies in the region's soils.
- Manganese and copper are commonly employed micronutrients, primarily used when deficiency symptoms arise. In 2022, manganese and copper accounted for shares of 12.1% and 9.0%, respectively. On the other hand, micronutrients like molybdenum, cobalt, chlorine, nickel, and selenium, though abundant in the soil, are less in demand due to their lower requirements. However, with soil quality deteriorating, there is a gradual uptick in the application of these fertilizers.

Growing population and increasing food insecurity concerns propel the micronutrient fertilizer market


- In 2022, the Sub-Saharan African region, home to 13% of the global population, boasted around 20% of the world's agricultural land. Despite this advantage, the region grapples with significant food insecurity. This issue stems from limited food production, largely due to a lack of modern mechanization, underutilization of fertilizers, and prevalent soil micronutrient deficiencies.
- In 2022, Nigeria led the way in the micronutrient fertilizer market, accounting for 26.0% of the total volume. Field crops dominated the fertilizer landscape, claiming a whopping 98.5% share, equivalent to 22.3 thousand metric tons. Horticulture crops trailed behind with a modest 1.4% market share. This preference for field crops can be attributed to the region's intensive agricultural practices, which often lead to nutrient deficiencies necessitating fertilizer supplementation.
- South Africa held a significant value share of 24.4% in the African micronutrient fertilizer market in 2022. Within South Africa, conventional micronutrient fertilizers commanded a lion's share of 91.0%, valued at USD 52.6 million. Specialty micronutrient fertilizers, on the other hand, held a 9.0% share, amounting to USD 6.4 million. The popularity of conventional fertilizers can be attributed to their efficacy in swiftly addressing micronutrient deficiencies, especially through soil application.
- Given the expanding cultivation areas and the region's escalating food demand, the sales of micronutrient fertilizers are poised for growth during 2023-2030.


Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market Trends



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.


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.


Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Industry Overview

The Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market is moderately consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 48.12%. The major players in this market are Haifa Group, K+S Aktiengesellschaft, Kynoch Fertilizer, UPL Limited and Yara International ASA (sorted alphabetically).

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