Key Takeaways:
- The EU’s mineral fertilizer use in agriculture dropped by 10.3% in 2022 compared to 2021.
- The decline is linked to the rise in fertilizer prices due to geopolitical tensions.
- Nitrogen fertilizer use fell to 8.9 million tonnes, a 9.4% decrease year-on-year.
- Phosphorus fertilizer use dropped to 0.9 million tonnes, a 17.9% decline from 2021.
- Major agricultural producers like France and Germany saw the highest use of nitrogen fertilizers.
In 2022, the European Union (EU) witnessed a significant decrease in the use of mineral fertilizers, with a total of 9.8 million tonnes of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers used in agricultural production. This marked a sharp decline of 10.3% compared to the previous year and a cumulative drop of 15.9% from the peak in 2017.
The EU Sees Decline in Mineral Fertilizer Usage
The decrease in mineral fertilizer consumption is attributed to the sharp rise in fertilizer prices following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions on Russia. The European Commission‘s communication on safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems highlighted this. The geopolitical situation increased fertilizer production and distribution costs, influencing farmers’ purchasing decisions across the EU.
An Increase In Russian Fertilizers
European producers are concerned about the flood of cheap Russian fertilizer, which could threaten their businesses and long-term food security. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European countries have shifted to other sources of gas, but Russia continues to produce and export cheap fertilizer to Europe according to the Financial Times, causing difficulties for European fertilizer producers.
Nitrogen Fertiliser Consumption
Within the mineral fertilizers category, nitrogen-based fertilizers saw a reduction in use, declining to an estimated 8.9 million tonnes in 2022. This represents a 9.4% year-on-year decrease. The highest usage of nitrogen fertilizers was recorded in countries that are also the EU’s main agricultural producers, with France using 2.0 million tonnes and Germany 1.1 million tonnes.
Phosphorus Fertiliser Consumption
The use of phosphorus fertilizers was also significantly reduced. In 2022, phosphorus fertilizers were used in EU agriculture at 0.9 million tonnes, a decline of 17.9% compared to the previous year. The countries with the highest consumption of phosphorus-based fertilizers included France, Spain, Italy, and Romania. Together, these nations accounted for about half of the EU’s total phosphorus fertilizer use.
Impact of Price Increases
The rising costs of fertilizers have been a critical factor in reduced consumption. Farmers across the EU faced increased financial pressure, leading to more conservative use of these essential agricultural inputs. This shift impacts crop yields and has broader implications for food security and the resilience of food systems in the region.
