Challenges and opportunities for the fertilizer industry.

Abstract

Nitrogen fertilizers can be classified into four groups depending on their chemical form: ammonium fertilizers, nitrate fertilizers, combined ammonium and nitrate fertilizers, and amide fertilizers. In addition, two other fertilizers, multinutrient (diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate) and controlled-release, are described. The trends in global demand and consumption of N fertilizers before World War II up to 2001/2002 are presented. The global and regional supply/demand balance of N fertilizer, as well as the factors affecting production and importation of N fertilizers are discussed. The factors that influenced the challenges and opportunities for the future of the world N fertilizer industry include: (i) population densities that determine demand; (ii) the availability of land and irrigation that influence production intensity; (iii) the efficiency of nutrient utilization affecting nutrient required to meet production needs and environmental protection requirements; and (iv) the availability of local and external sources of low-cost raw materials (natural gas, naphtha, fuel oil and coal), and other imports to facilitate economic production of N fertilizers. These factors are considered within three distinct categories of countries (developed countries, countries with large reserves of natural gas, and developing countries that lack reserves of natural gas). Also discussed is the role of Integrated Soil Fertility Management technologies in the improvement of crop yield and fertilizer profitability in West Africa. Finally, the issue on fertilizer subsidies and N fertilizer use is briefly discussed.