Animal or vegetable fertilizers market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the German market for animal or vegetable fertilizers was pressured by consecutive drought years and a tightening of the Fertilizer Ordinance (Düngeverordnung), which reduced farmer demand and led to falling sales of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. This contributed to a decline in market volume from 972 thousand tons in 2019 to 876 thousand tons in 2020, while the market value held relatively stable.

High gas costs began to push up prices in 2021, raising the market value to 163.2 million US dollars even as physical consumption contracted to 850 thousand tons. The situation intensified in 2022 when geopolitical disruptions and soaring energy prices further dampened volume, shrinking the market to 824 thousand tons and causing phosphate fertilizer sales to halve during the year.

By 2023, trade activity remained subdued as fertilizer prices started to ease from their peaks, yet demand stayed cautious. In 2024, the market volume showed a slight stabilization at 817 thousand tons, while the market value reached 153.9 million US dollars, reflecting the lasting impact of elevated costs on the sector.

Production animal or vegetable fertilizers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of animal or vegetable fertilizers saw a two-year decline before rebounding. In 2020, output was valued at 134.3 million US dollars, down 1.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 124.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.2% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 893 thousand tonnes of animal or vegetable fertilizers, marking a year-over-year decline of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports animal or vegetable fertilizers from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of animal or vegetable fertilizers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 110.7 thousand tonnes, a significant decrease of 15.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 159.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 27.2% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 18.1% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and France were the primary destinations for Germany's exports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in kind. Poland accounted for 63.5% of exports, the Netherlands for 15.7%, and France for 7.7%, together representing 86.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of losses, Germany's exports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in value terms increased. In 2020, exports reached 24 277 thousand US dollars, up 8.0% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 488 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 17.9% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in value terms were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 17.1% of exports, Austria for 15.0%, and China for 12.6%, together making up 44.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports animal or vegetable fertilizers to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in kind increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 93.0 thousand tonnes, a substantial rise of 15.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 80.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 18.6% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria were the main sources for Germany's imports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 60.8% of imports, Belgium for 15.8%, and Austria for 10.6%, together representing 87.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Germany's imports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 37 396 thousand US dollars, up 22.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 29%, averaging an annual increase of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 221 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.1% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria were the primary sources for Germany's imports of animal or vegetable fertilizers in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 47.8% of imports, Belgium for 24.7%, and Austria for 10.0%, together absorbing 82.5% of total import flows.

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

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