Secondary Macronutrients Market by Nutrient (Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur), Crop Type (Cereals and Grains, Oilseeds and Pulses, Fruits and Vegetables), Mode of Application (Solid and Liquid), Form and Region - Global Forecast to 2028
The global secondary macronutrients market size is expected to increase at a 4.0% CAGR, reaching $39.9 billion in 2023 and $48.5 billion by 2028.
The growth of the market is driven by the increasing secondary macronutrient deficiency in the soil and the growing area under cultivation for high-value crops. The deficiency of secondary macronutrients causes yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and a decrease in crop yield. To avoid these deficiencies, secondary macronutrients are applied to provide essential minerals to crops and soil, thereby maintaining crop and soil health. Intensive farming practices, such as monoculture and excessive use of fertilizers, can lead to soil depletion, which, in turn, reduces the availability of secondary nutrients in the soil. This has led to an increased need for supplementary secondary nutrient fertilizers. As consumers become more health-conscious, there is a growing demand for high-quality, nutrient-dense crops. Secondary nutrients play a critical role in the development and quality of crops, making them an essential component of modern agriculture. These are some of the key factors propelling the growth of secondary nutrients.
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Must-to-Know Secondary Macronutrients Market Dynamics
Drivers: Need for increasing crop production
The consumption of animal products increases as more people enter the middle class, which in turn drives up the demand for grains and other crops to feed the animals. The amount of arable land accessible for farming declines as more people move into urban areas, necessitating an increase in agricultural production on already-existing farmland. In order to supply the needs of the urban population, it is necessary to boost the productivity of already used agricultural land and to investigate novel approaches to food production, such as vertical farming and urban agriculture. The most effective use of secondary nutrients can significantly boost the productivity of currently used agricultural land and support sustainable and creative methods of food production.
Restraints: Rising instances of counterfeit goods
The production of counterfeit items by several rivals decreases consumer loyalty as well as the product brand value. The secondary macronutrients market is expected to increase steadily, which must be capitalized on by manufacturing products that are authentic and effective on a wide range of crops. Counterfeit fertilizers may contain incorrect or insufficient amounts of secondary macronutrients or may be formulated with low-quality ingredients that are not effective in improving plant growth and crop yields. As a result, farmers may experience reduced yields or poor crop quality, and may be forced to purchase additional fertilizers to make up for the lack of effectiveness.
Opportunities: Precision agriculture for nutrient control on site-by-site basis
Precision agriculture includes site-specific nutrient management, which may be applied to any field or crop. It is a technology-based technique of growing crops effectively and on-site using specialized application equipment that can maintain water and nutrients in the root zone. Precision farming has the ability to enhance output and fertilizer usage efficiency by preventing nutrients from leaching from or accumulating in excessive amounts in specific areas of the field. Precision farming is gaining popularity in industrialized nations because of the efficient use of the fertigation method, which has the potential to be a successful instrument in the judicious delivery of secondary nutrients, resulting in decreased application costs. The kind of secondary nutrient and its formulation may be entered into the information system, which can then offer an accurate analysis of the crop's nutrient requirements, application rate, and mixing ratio inside the fertigation system.
Challenges: Utilization of agricultural biologicals in farming
The utilization of agricultural biologicals such as biofertilizers, biopesticides, PGRS, and inoculants is growing rapidly in the agricultural sector. This is because people are getting more concerned and conscious about their health and the environment. Agricultural biologicals are gaining popularity due to their potential to improve crop productivity, enhance soil health, and reduce the environmental impact compared to conventional chemical inputs. This could-be a challenge to the secondary macronutrients. The growing market for various biologicals is being an obstacle for the secondary macronutrients market. The demand for organic food such as organic fruits & vegetables is rising worldwide, which is reducing the demand for synthetic fertilizers.
According to the circular economy of the European Union, the new rules will apply to all types of fertilizers to guarantee the highest levels of soil protection. The Regulation introduces strict limits for cadmium in phosphate fertilizers. The limits will be tightened from 60 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg after 3 years and to 20 mg/kg after 12 years, reducing health and environmental risks. Soil protection will demand less application of fertilizers. The farmers have to apply limited fertilizers to the crops so that it will not affect the quality of the soil. Hence, it can also be a threat for applying the secondary nutrient more than the required amount.
Secondary Macronutrients Market Ecosystem
Key players in market have strong distribution network and have strong financial records. These firms have experience of several years, well established manufacturing facilities, r&d centers, and skilled workforce. Prominent players in this market include Nutrien Ltd. (Canada), Yara (Norway), The Mosaic Company (US), Israel Chemicals Limited (Israel), and K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany).
By nutrient, calcium is projected to gain largest share in the market during the study period
Adequate calcium intake is key to normal root system development, healthy fruit set, and high-quality fruit development. At the same time, it stimulates photosynthesis and ensures more efficient utilization of nitrogen. Calcium increases root mass, resulting in faster and better growth of plants in spring. It also helps promote crop uniformity, an important factor for row crops and forage growers. Optimal amounts of calcium help improve soil structure, ensuring healthy, aerated soils. Calcium is immobile in plants, so a continuous supply is essential. Thus, driving the growth of segment in the secondary macronutrients market.
By crop type, fruits & vegetables is forecasted to grow at highest CAGR in the market during the research period
With increasing health awareness across people of different age groups, the demand for fresh foods, fruits & vegetables in particular, is growing rapidly. In developed countries such as US, Canada, UK, Germany, among others, people are adopting veganism which makes fruits & vegetables major source of vitamins and mineral in their diet. Thus, production of these crops is predicted to increase with increased demand. Deficiency of secondary macronutrients can severely affect the yield quality as well as quantity of these crops. For instance, calcium deficiency produces small, thickened leaves and causes loss of vigor, thinning of foliage, and decreased fruit production.
By mode of application, liquid segment is anticipated to occupy major share in the secondary macronutrients market during the study period
Liquid spraying methods improve plant response in terms of accuracy and nutrient availability to plants. Liquid fertilizer is applied evenly and precisely to the edge of the field, unlike granular application. One advantage of liquid spraying is that the liquid penetrates the soil more quickly, allowing plants to access nutrients sooner. Some plants will see immediate results from this application. In fact, many growers use this type of fertilizer early in the season to ensure rapid root growth so that the plants can take root when they absolutely need to. Its precision allows farmers to aim their crops more efficiently, and the nutrients are used exactly where plants need them.
By form, dry segment is forecasted to gain the major share in the market during the review period
Dry fertilizers have the advantage of slow release of nutrients and can generally be stored longer than some liquid fertilizers without the danger of "settling" over time. It is usually inexpensive when purchased in bulk and has long-lasting nutrients, making it a good choice for fertilizing fields before planting. Dry fertilizers are usually formulated in granular form. Fertilizer blending is accomplished by blending individual granular fertilizers of known assay (e.g. 46-0-0, 18-46-0, and 0-0-60) in the correct proportions to obtain the desired blend. If farmers had access to custom-blended granular fertilizers, they could optimize crop fertility programs and improve crop production efficiency. This allows for more profitable crop production.
Several major countries in Asia Pacific region such as India are still agricultural economies with most of the population having agriculture as their main occupations. The governments in the region are promoting soil testing so that the farmers can supplement essential nutrients to crops which are not present in soil in sufficient quantities. The increasing modern agricultural practices and requirement of high-quality agricultural produce are expected to drive the market in the region.
Key Players in Secondary Macronutrients Market:
Key players in this market include Nutrien Ltd. (Canada), Yara (Norway), The Mosaic Company (US), Israel Chemicals Limited (Israel), K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany), Nufarm (Australia), SPIC (India), Koch Industries, INC. (US), Coromandel International (India), Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (India), Haifa Negev Technologies LTD (Israel), Kugler Company (USA), IFFCO (India), Western Nutrient Corporation (US), and Arise Agro Limited (India).
Secondary Macronutrients Market Scope
Report Metric |
Details |
Secondary Macronutrients Market Valuation in 2023 |
US $39.9 billion |
Revenue Forecast in 2028 |
US $48.5 billion |
Progress Rate |
CAGR of 4.0% from 2023–2028 |
Forecast Period Considered |
2023–2028 |
Geographies Covered |
North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and RoW |
Key Companies studied |
|
The study categorizes the secondary macronutrients market based on by nutrient, by crop type, by mode of application, by form, and region.
Market By Nutrient
- Calcium
- Sulfur
- Magnesium
Market By Crop type
-
Cereals & grains
- Corn
- Wheat
- Rice
- Other cereals & grains
-
Oilseeds & pulses
- Soybean
- Sunflower
- Other oilseeds & pulses
-
Fruits & vegetables
- Root & tuber vegetables
- Leafy vegetables
- Pome fruits
- Berries
- Citrus fruits
- Other fruits & vegetables
- Other crop types
Market By Application
-
Liquid application
- Fertigation
- Foliar
- Other liquid mode of applications
-
Solid application
- Broadcasting
- Deep Tillage
- Localized Placement
Market By Form
- Dry form
- Liquid form
Market By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- South America
- Row (Africa and Middle East)
Recent Developments
- In January 2023, K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany) accepted to acquire 75% of the agricultural input business of Industrial Commodities Holdings (Pty) Ltd (South Africa).
- In August 2022, Koch Industries, INC. (US) announced expansion of its production capacity with new manufacturing plant at Dodge City, Kansas, US. It will produce 35,000 tons of UAN per year.
- In March 2022, The Haifa Group signed with HORTICOOP BV a purchase agreement acquiring Horticoop Andina. Upon acquiring the brand, Haifa is expected to broaden its scope of activities in Ecuador and the surrounding Latin market and continue to establish its status as an international superbrand in advanced plant nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Which are the major crop types considered in this study?
The major crop types considered in this study are cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, and fruits & vegetables. Fruits & vegetables segment is projected to have promising growth rate in the future followed by oilseeds & pulses.
Which countries are included in Asia Pacific region?
Exclusive insights on below Asia Pacific countries will be provided:
- China
- Japan
- India
- Australia & New Zealand
- Rest of Asia Pacific (South Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam)
Which is the driving factor of the secondary macronutrients market?
Is mode of application segment further bifurcated in the report?
Yes, the liquid mode of application segment is bifurcated into foliar, fertigation, and other liquid mode of applications (aerial and soil injection). Similarly, solid mode of application segment is classified into broadcasting, deep tillage, and localized placement.
In competitive analysis section what kind of data is provided?
Information such as business overview along with financial analysis such as business and geographic revenue mix is provided for major players. Research & development expenditure of key players is provided for last three years. Detailed understanding of company’s key strengths and strategies is also included in this section.
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This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources—directories and databases such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Factiva—to identify and collect information useful for a technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the secondary macronutrients market. In-depth interviews were conducted with various primary respondents—such as key industry participants, subject matter experts (SMEs), C-level executives of key market players, and industry consultants—to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information and assess prospects.
Secondary Research
In the secondary research process, various sources, such as US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), International Fertilizer Association (IFA), and The Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) were referred, to identify and collect information for this study. The secondary sources included annual reports, press releases and investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, articles by recognized authors, associations, regulatory bodies, trade directories, and paid databases.
Secondary research was mainly used to obtain vital information about the industry’s supply chain, the total pool of key players, the market classification & segmentation according to the industry trends to the bottom-most level, and geographical markets. It was also used to obtain information on the key developments from a market-oriented perspective.
Primary Research
The secondary macronutrients market comprises several stakeholders in the supply chain: suppliers, manufacturers, and end-use product manufacturers. Various primary sources from the supply and demand sides of the market were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. The primary interviewees from the demand side include growers/farmers, key opinion leaders, executives, vice presidents, and CEOs of the agriculture fertilizers industry. The primary sources from the supply side include research institutions involved in R&D activities, key opinion leaders, and manufacturers of secondary macronutrients.
Various primary sources from both the supply and demand sides of the market were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. Following is the breakdown of primary respondents:
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Secondary Macronutrients Market Size Estimation
The top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the total size of the market. These approaches were also used extensively to determine the size of various subsegments in the market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details:
- The key players in the industry and the markets were identified through extensive secondary research.
- The market was determined through primary and secondary research.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
- All macroeconomic and microeconomic factors affecting the growth of the market were considered while estimating the market size.
- All possible parameters that affect the market covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain final quantitative and qualitative data.
Global Secondary Macronutrients Market Size: Bottom-Up Approach
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Global Secondary macronutrients Market Size: Top Down Approach
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size from the above estimation process using both top-down and bottom-up approaches, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. To complete the overall secondary macronutrients market estimation and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments and subsegments, the data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed wherever applicable. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides.
Market Definition
According to The Fertilizer Institute, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are referred to as "secondary" not because they are less important, but because most crops require them in lower amounts. Calcium is utilized to minimize soil acidity and to improve nutrient absorption inside the plant. It also increases a plant's resistance to disease. Magnesium, like phosphorus, is a component of chlorophyll and so required for photosynthesis. It is also necessary to assist the plant in metabolizing that same phosphorus molecule. Sulfur is another element that is naturally present in soil, but in proportions that are inadequate for many crops. Sulfur is used by plants to synthesize essential amino acids and is beneficial in increasing winter hardiness.
Macronutrients are nutrients that are essential for plant development in high quantities. Secondary macronutrients (sulfur, magnesium, and calcium) are needed in smaller quantities than basic nutrients (N, P, and K). The most significant of these three secondary macronutrients is calcium, which serves to build the cell wall. Sulfur reduces leaf yellowing, whereas magnesium functions as an enzyme activator, promoting plant development and blooming.
Calcium carbonate, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, mono ammonium phosphate, potassium sulfate, superphosphates, calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium polysulfide, and sulfur-coated urea are among the fertilizers studied. The secondary macronutrient composition of the fertilizers was utilized to calculate market usage.
Key Stakeholders
- Secondary macronutrients manufacturers
- Secondary macronutrients importers and exporters
- Secondary macronutrients traders, distributors, and suppliers
- Government and research organizations
-
Government regulatory agencies
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Report Objectives
- To determine and project the size of the secondary macronutrients market with respect to by nutrient, by crop type, by mode of application, by form, and region
- To identify the attractive opportunities in the market by determining the largest and fastest growing segments across regions
- To provide detailed information about the key factors influencing the market growth (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and industry-specific challenges)
- To provide the regulatory framework for major countries related to the market
- To analyze the micro-markets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the total market
- To understand the competitive landscape and identifying the major growth strategies adopted by players across the key regions.
- To analyze the value chain and products across the key regions and their impact on the prominent market players
- To provide insights on key product innovations and investments in the global market
Available Customizations
MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to client-specific scientific needs with the given market data.
The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company
Geographic Analysis
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Europe's secondary macronutrients market into Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and other EU and non-EU countries.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Asia Pacific market into South Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of the South American market into Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Company Information
- Detailed analyses and profiling of additional market players (up to five)
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Secondary Macronutrients Market