Animal or vegetable fertilizers market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The Irish market for animal or vegetable fertilizers contracted sharply from 1 108 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 217 thousand tonnes in 2020. This decline was initiated by the European Union Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations 2017, which set rules to safeguard water quality from fertiliser runoff. The interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme in 2019 further tightened conditions for fertiliser use, while the introduction of a nationwide farm liming program and mandatory training in 2020 encouraged more efficient nutrient management, reducing overall demand for fertilizers.

Market volume continued to fall, reaching 113 thousand tonnes by 2024. This ongoing reduction was driven by the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme enacted in 2022, which established maximum application limits for chemical nitrogen and phosphorus and declared Ireland a total nutrient vulnerable zone. Concurrently, high fertiliser price volatility from 2021 onward and the EU Green Deal's target to cut fertiliser use influenced farmer decisions. The launch of the National Fertiliser Database in 2023, requiring detailed tracking of purchases and use, alongside an 18% drop in chemical fertiliser usage that year, reinforced the market's downward trajectory as regulatory and economic pressures persisted.

Production animal or vegetable fertilizers in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Animal or vegetable fertilizer production in Ireland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 48 499 K $ US, reflecting a moderate decline of 4.8% compared to 2019. Production decreased by 8.5% between 2017 and 2020, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 70 893 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 33.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 5.2 times. In 2020, Ireland produced 216 K t of animal or vegetable fertilizers, marking a steep gain of 25.9% compared to the previous year.

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

Exports animal or vegetable fertilizers from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Animal or vegetable fertilizer exports from Ireland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 37 797 t, reflecting a notable decline of 13.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of animal or vegetable fertilizers from Ireland were highly concentrated on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 91.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ireland's animal or vegetable fertilizer exports declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 30 036 K $ US, reflecting a small decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 31 687 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 35.3%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (46.9% of exports in value terms), Spain (15.1%), and the United States (9.1%) accounted for the largest share of exports, together comprising 71.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports animal or vegetable fertilizers to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and hit their maximum in 2019, with an amplitude of 2.6 times between these years. In 2020, animal or vegetable fertilizer imports into Ireland amounted to 39 264 t, down by 15.1% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 46 243 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 74.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the leading supplier of animal or vegetable fertilizers to Ireland, accounting for 89.8% of total imports in kind, with the rest spread across many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of animal or vegetable fertilizers into Ireland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 8 685 K $ US, corresponding to a rise of 2.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 119.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the main supplier of animal or vegetable fertilizers to Ireland, taking 75.7% of total imports in value terms, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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