Ammonia market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the ammonia market volume in Finland remained stable at around 60 thousand tons, with minor fluctuations. During this period, early research initiatives like the AINA project, funded by Business Finland, began exploring ammonia's potential as a green energy carrier and marine fuel, signaling emerging interest beyond traditional fertilizer use.

The market expanded sharply to 87 thousand tons in 2021 and peaked at 130.5 thousand tons in 2022. This surge coincided with the peak of the Finnish ammonium nitrate market in 2022, as ammonia is a key feedstock for nitrate fertilizer production, driving up demand for ammonia.

After the peak, market volume fell to 88.2 thousand tons in 2023 and further to 51.4 thousand tons in 2024, aligning with a reported 25.7% contraction in the ammonium nitrate market. Concurrently, major projects for green ammonia production gained momentum, such as the Green North Energy plant in Naantali and the Flexens-led facility in Kokkola, backed by R&D funding and aiming for large-scale renewable ammonia output by 2027.

Production ammonia in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market displayed volatility throughout the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, ammonia output in Finland was valued at 8 368 K $ US, marking a 3.2% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 9 270 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 6.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, reaching 104.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Finland produced 61 569 t of ammonia, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 59 630 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 61 593 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports ammonia from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a dramatic fluctuation of 2 687 times between these years. In 2020, Finland's ammonia exports totaled 3 832 t, representing an extraordinary increase of 268,618.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at just 1 t, and the largest decline occurred in that same year, at 99.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden was clearly the dominant buyer of ammonia from Finland, accounting for 92.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports varied by 3-fold, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019. In 2020, ammonia exports from Finland reached 251.0 K $ US, showing a decrease of 12.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 285.5 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 98.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden remained overwhelmingly dominant as a buyer of ammonia from Finland, accounting for 91.1% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020

Imports ammonia to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The market trend was unstable throughout the timeframe. Import volumes hit a low in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1 006 times. In 2020, ammonia deliveries to Finland were recorded at 1 606 t, up by 58,931.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was in 2019 at 3 t, and the largest decline occurred that year, at 99.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Estonia, and Sweden formed the core group of markets for imports in kind, with shares of 38.3%, 29.7%, and 24.7% respectively. Together, they represented 92.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ammonia volumes in Finland totaled 910.5 K $ US, marking a sharp gain of 45.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 627.0 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in that year, at 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Italy consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms, with shares of 30.3%, 23.6%, and 13.4% respectively. Together, they accounted for 67.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020