NPK fertilizers market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the NPK fertilizers market in Italy showed significant volatility. After a 36% increase to 403.6 thousand tons in 2019, market volume fell to 373.3 thousand tons in 2020, influenced by shifts in environmental policy and agricultural demand that affected consumption. A strong rebound occurred in 2021, pushing the market to 522.5 thousand tons, supported by higher domestic production and imports.

The enforcement of EU Regulation 2019/1009, which made CE marking mandatory for fertilizers starting July 2022, reshaped market conditions. Although market size grew further to 571.0 thousand tons in 2022, it collapsed to 309.2 thousand tons in 2023 as industry participants adjusted to new labeling rules and ongoing regulatory adjustments. The decline continued to 274.3 thousand tons in 2024, a period when the EU rolled out optional digital labeling and Italy enhanced its institutional framework for fertilizer control.

Production NPK fertilizers in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's NPK fertilizer output was valued at 212.1 million US dollars, marking a 25.4% decline compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 198.3 million US dollars, with the largest annual decrease of 47.8% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 43.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 17.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 393.5 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers, representing a significant reduction of 19.5% compared to 2019. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 339.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 57.0% occurring that year. The largest increase was seen in 2019 at 44.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 50.1%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 20.7%.

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

Exports NPK fertilizers from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy exported 185.3 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers, showing a drop of 22.1% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 237.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 12.0% occurring that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Italy's NPK fertilizer exports in kind was fragmented. Brazil accounted for 21.2% of exports, Greece for 12.0%, and Ghana for 10.2%, with these three countries together making up 43.5% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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, Italy's NPK fertilizer exports amounted to 97.3 million US dollars, indicating a robust decline of 12.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 111.1 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 4.5% occurring that year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.9%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Greece, and Turkey were important buyers of NPK fertilizers from Italy in value terms, accounting for 11.3%, 9.3%, and 5.7% of exports, respectively. Their combined share reached 26.3% of total exports, while the remaining 73.7% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports NPK fertilizers to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Italy's imports of NPK fertilizers in kind increased in 2020, reaching 165.1 thousand tonnes, which represents a controlled rise of 8.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 152.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 10.5% occurring that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia formed the main group of sources for Italy's NPK fertilizer imports in kind. Belgium accounted for 41.2% of imports, Germany for 14.3%, and Croatia for 11.9%, with their combined share totaling 67.4% of total flows.

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

Italy's imports of NPK fertilizers in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 73.3 million US dollars, showing minimal change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands were the key partners for Italy's NPK fertilizer imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 35.5% of imports, Germany for 20.1%, and the Netherlands for 11.2%, with their combined share reaching 66.8% of total flows.

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

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