Nitrogenous fertilizers market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Italian nitrogenous fertilizers market experienced the entry of new players, such as the acquisition of COMPO EXPERT by Poland's Grupa Azoty, strengthening international presence. EU Regulation 2019/1009, adopted in June 2019, laid the groundwork for circular economy principles by extending the CE mark to organic and organo-mineral fertilizers. In 2020, rising raw material and energy costs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic pressured production expenses, yet sustained demand supported by favorable agricultural product prices helped maintain market activity.

Growth accelerated markedly in 2021, with a reported 14% surge in sales of mineral fluid fertilizers boosting domestic production value to $155 million. The following year, the Russia-Ukraine war triggered a global price spike for nitrogenous fertilizers, compounded by export restrictions from Russia and Belarus and reduced Chinese exports. This geopolitical shock drove import values to $1 066 million and expanded the total market size to $1 095 million in 2022, even as physical consumption receded from earlier peaks, prompting increased interest in organic and slow-release alternatives.

By 2023, persistently high prices began to dampen consumption, contributing to a decline in import value to $714 million. Mineral fertilizers, led by nitrogen-based products, regained their position as the top-selling category in Italy, while EU-wide use of mineral fertilizers fell by 3.7%, accelerating a shift toward organic and lower-impact options. In 2024, the ongoing process of harmonizing national legislation with EU Regulation 2019/1009 continued to shape the market landscape, with import value adjusting further to $479 million.

Production nitrogenous fertilizers in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M kg N

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M kg N

Exports nitrogenous fertilizers from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's nitrogenous fertilizer exports rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The export volume reached 403 thousand tons, marking a significant 24.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume during this period was recorded in 2019 at 324 thousand tons, which also saw the steepest decline of 8.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's nitrogenous fertilizer exports were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Kenya accounted for 19.0% of the export volume, Spain for 10.2%, and Tanzania for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented 37.9% of Italy's total nitrogenous fertilizer exports in kind, indicating a relatively broad partner portfolio.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Italy's nitrogenous fertilizer exports reached 96.1 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 93.4 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 106.1 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.9% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 13.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Spain, and the United States were the top buyers of Italy's nitrogenous fertilizers in value terms. Kenya contributed 10.9% of the total export value, Spain 8.5%, and the United States 7.3%. However, their combined share amounted to only 26.7% of Italy's total nitrogenous fertilizer exports in value, highlighting a diversified country structure with no single partner dominating the market.

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

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

Imports nitrogenous fertilizers to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of nitrogenous fertilizers continued to grow in 2020, marking the second consecutive year of increase. The import volume totaled 1 333 thousand tons, reflecting a slight rise of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.7%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 177 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.3%. In contrast, the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with a 10.9% growth.

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

During 2017–2020, Egypt, Russia, and Croatia were the primary suppliers of nitrogenous fertilizers to Italy in terms of volume. Egypt accounted for 33.3% of imports in kind, Russia for 9.5%, and Croatia for 8.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 51.4% of Italy's total nitrogenous fertilizer imports in kind, indicating a concentrated sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's imports of nitrogenous fertilizers in value terms declined in 2020. The import value stood at 349.2 million US dollars, representing a moderate decrease of 4.5% from 2019. Across the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 365.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Russia, and Croatia formed the key group of partners for Italy's nitrogenous fertilizer imports in value terms. Egypt represented 33.8% of the import value, Russia 9.0%, and Croatia 7.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 50.7% of Italy's total nitrogenous fertilizer imports in value, underscoring a significant reliance on these suppliers.

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

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