Nitrogen market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian nitrogen market maintained stable physical volume around 807 million m³ in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, the Environment Agency Austria established the first national nitrogen budget for 2015-2019, providing a framework to monitor reactive nitrogen flows. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a 6.7% GDP contraction and reduced industrial activity, causing market volume to drop by 8.1% to 742 million m³. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume rising to 834 million m³.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 disrupted energy markets, driving inflation and higher input costs. This pushed nitrogen prices upward, with market value increasing 6.8% to $69.2 million US despite only a marginal rise in physical volume. The construction materials sector, a key consumer, saw prices rise 16% due to global supply chain constraints. In 2023, market value surged 41% to $97.6 million US as high prices persisted, while physical volume grew modestly. International climate regulations, including the Paris Agreement, continued to shape market conditions through emissions trading schemes.

By 2024, physical market volume slightly retreated to 837 million m³, influenced by milder weather conditions and ongoing emissions reductions across sectors, particularly under the emissions trading system. Market value, however, reached $100.6 million US, reflecting sustained price levels. Economic growth remained subdued, with GDP declining 0.7%, tempering industrial demand for nitrogen.

Production nitrogen in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Austria's nitrogen production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 66 452 K $ US, marking a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 4.9%, when production reached its peak value of 70 914 K $ US. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, at 3.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

In 2020, Austria produced 808.1 M m³ of nitrogen, representing a 6.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The largest increase was observed in 2019, at 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports nitrogen from Austria

Exports in kind, K m³

Nitrogen exports from Austria increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 82 710 K m³, showing a 3.0% year-over-year uptick. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 98.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Austria's nitrogen exports in kind were Germany, accounting for 27.5% of exports, Hungary with 26.8%, and Slovakia at 24.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 79.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, nitrogen exports from Austria reached 8 224 K $ US, reflecting a substantial decline of 16.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 9.3%, when exports peaked at 9 811 K $ US.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of nitrogen from Austria in value terms were Germany, representing 37.9% of exports, Hungary at 26.9%, and Slovakia with 16.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 81.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports nitrogen to Austria

Imports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Austria imported approximately 16 404 K m³ of nitrogen, marking a dramatic decline of 41.8% compared to the prior year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 122.4%, when imports hit their maximum volume of 28 922 K m³.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Italy together accounted for 80.5% of Austria's total nitrogen imports in kind, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign nitrogen supplies to Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 567 K $ US, representing a strong contraction of 19.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 8.3%, when imports peaked at 3 765 K $ US.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of nitrogen to Austria in value terms were Germany, accounting for 59.1% of imports, Italy with 20.2%, and Czechia at 11.4%. Together, these three countries formed 90.8% of total import value.

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

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