NPK fertilizers market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The NPK fertilizers market in Poland experienced significant volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2024. The market shrank from 1 752 thousand t in 2018 to 1 462 thousand t in 2019, a period marked by the adoption of the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, which established a new harmonized legal framework for fertilizers. Production remained relatively stable through 2021, but a sharp increase in exports, reaching 651 thousand t in 2021, contributed to a declining domestic market volume.

A pronounced downturn occurred in 2022 as market volume fell to 1 009 thousand t, coinciding with the amendment of the Polish Fertilizers and Fertilization Act in September 2022, which updated national production and trade regulations. The following year, market volume contracted further to 785 thousand t. This was influenced by new cost pressures from regulations on control and laboratory testing fees for fertilizers, alongside government nitrate reduction programs and the 'Green Poland' environmental initiative, which altered fertilization demand. Throughout this period, state-owned Grupa Azoty remained the dominant producer shaping supply.

The market rebounded strongly in 2024, with volume rising to 1 109 thousand t. This recovery was driven by a 31% surge in imports and the expansion of domestic production capacity, notably from Polifoska S.A., which launched a new ammonia line and a plant for spring NPK fertilizers. Legislative measures, including the extension of the preferential 8% VAT rate for fertilizers until 2025 and new rules easing construction for industrial storage, provided additional support to market activity.

Production NPK fertilizers in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's NPK fertilizer production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 426.1 million US dollars, representing a significant 11.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 482.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Poland produced 1,213 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers, marking a modest 6.3% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.5%.

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

Exports NPK fertilizers from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 271.3 thousand tonnes, while 2019 saw the peak at 493.1 thousand tonnes, creating a 1.8-fold difference between these years. Poland exported 482.7 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers in 2020, representing a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 43.0%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase at 81.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine (26.7% of exports in volume), Czechia (15.8%), and Hungary (12.4%) were the primary destinations for Poland's NPK fertilizer exports, collectively accounting for 54.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 96.7 million US dollars, while 2019 saw the maximum at 172.6 million US dollars, resulting in a 1.8-fold variation between these years. Poland exported 159.9 million US dollars worth of NPK fertilizers in 2020, showing a moderate 7.4% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 29.7%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase at 78.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ukraine (26.2% of export value), Czechia (16.4%), and Hungary (13.8%) were the main markets for Poland's NPK fertilizer exports in value terms, together representing 56.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports NPK fertilizers to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland imported 660.0 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers in 2020, showing a substantial 19.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 660.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 13.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia (39.2% of import volume), Belarus (21.9%), and Lithuania (13.4%) were the largest contributors to Poland's NPK fertilizer imports, jointly accounting for 74.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's NPK fertilizer imports were valued at 239.9 million US dollars, representing a solid 10.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 23.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 242.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (34.9% of import value), Belarus (20.1%), and Lithuania (14.3%) were the primary sources for Poland's NPK fertilizer imports in value terms, together accounting for 69.3% of total import flows.

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

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