Report

The Middle East & Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market size is estimated at 281.1 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 404.1 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.53% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Demand for micronutrient fertilizers is growing due to increasing nutrient deficiency


- The micronutrient market in the region is projected to witness robust growth, with an estimated CAGR of 7.3% between 2023 and 2030. Notably, deficiencies of iron and zinc in plants are on the rise in the region, amplifying the demand for micronutrient fertilizers to bolster plant health.
- In 2022, zinc and iron dominated the market, accounting for 31.4% and 23.9% of the market value, respectively. These micronutrients are crucial for plant growth, and their deficiencies in soil have been linked to lower crop yields. Over the past decade, iron and zinc deficiencies in soils have been the primary drivers of the growth of the market.
- Micronutrient deficiencies are commonly observed in intensively cultivated crops like cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables. Consequently, farmers are increasingly turning to micronutrient applications, especially in field crops, which dominated the micronutrient market in 2022, capturing 71.3% of the market value.
- The escalating micronutrient deficiency in soils is a key factor contributing to yield declines. African soils, in particular, exhibit deficiencies in secondary and micronutrients, including sulfur, zinc, boron, and copper. Balancing these nutrient deficiencies through fertilizers not only enhances yields but also sustains soil health, making it a pivotal driver for the market in the coming years.
- As a result, the micronutrient fertilizer market volume is anticipated to witness steady growth, with a projected CAGR of 3.8% during the period of 2023-2030.

The growing population and increasing concerns regarding food insecurity propel the micronutrient fertilizer market


- The Middle East & African micronutrient fertilizer market accounted for about 5.1% of the overall Middle East & African fertilizer market, valued at about USD 482.6 million in 2022. Despite water scarcity and higher temperatures, many countries in the region depend on agriculture. Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are some of the major agricultural producers in the region.
- Nigeria is the largest agricultural producer in the region. Nigeria has 68.6 million hectares of agricultural land area, with maize, cassava, guinea corn, yam beans, millet, and rice being the major crops in 2022. Nigeria accounted for 12.6% of the African micronutrient fertilizer market in 2022.
- The foliar method of fertilizer application is the most used method for micronutrient application in the region, accounting for about 43.6% of the market value in 2022.
- The Rest of Middle East & Africa is one of the largest markets for micronutrient fertilizers in the region. The Rest of Middle East & Africa accounted for about 52.7% of the total micronutrient fertilizer market in the region, valued at about USD 148.2 million in 2022. The major agricultural producers in the Rest of Middle East & Africa are Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Iraq.
- Among micronutrient fertilizers, zinc is the most applied micronutrient, as zinc deficiency is a severe problem in the region, particularly in countries like Turkey, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. Zinc alone accounted for about 46.2% of the total micronutrient fertilizer market, valued at about USD 223.1 million in 2022.
- The deficiency of micronutrients in the overall agricultural area drives the micronutrient fertilizer market in the region.


Middle East & Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market Trends



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.


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.


Middle East & Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Industry Overview

The Middle East & Africa Micronutrient Fertilizer Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 30.27%. The major players in this market are Gavilon South Africa (MacroSource, LLC), ICL Group Ltd, Kynoch Fertilizer, Unikeyterra Chemical and Yara International ASA (sorted alphabetically).

Additional Benefits:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support