NPK fertilizers market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market for NPK fertilizers in Russia expanded significantly from 1.7 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.9 million tonnes in 2021. This growth was initially fueled by a strategic reorientation of major producers towards the domestic market in 2019, responding to rising agricultural output. Subsequently, agribusinesses' purchases exceeding immediate demand in 2020 further boosted market volume. The introduction of export quotas for nitrogen and complex NPK fertilizers in 2021 played a crucial role by limiting overseas shipments, thereby increasing product availability for Russian consumers.

Market volume stabilized at approximately 2.9 million tonnes in 2022, supported by the continued enforcement of export restrictions. From 2023 to 2024, the market resumed its growth, reaching 3.1 million tonnes, underpinned by a consistent rise in production capacity. This was facilitated by ongoing large-scale investment projects across the industry and a shift in export flows towards Asia, Latin America, and Africa, which helped maintain robust domestic supply amidst strong global demand.

Production NPK fertilizers in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

NPK fertilizer production in Russia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Russia produced 8,919 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers, which is 12.0% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 7,566 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports NPK fertilizers from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of NPK fertilizers from Russia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volume reached 5,879 thousand tonnes, up by 7.8% year-on-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5,446 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

The partner structure of exports in kind from 2018 to 2021 was fragmented, with Brazil (15.6% of exports in kind), China (14.3% of exports in kind), and India (8.4% of exports in kind) together accounting for only 38.3% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, shipments of NPK fertilizers from Russia to abroad have increased. In 2021, exports reached 2,025 million US dollars, which is 59.0% higher compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 29.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1,274 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, exports of NPK fertilizers from Russia in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Brazil (16.1% of exports in value terms), China (13.3% of exports in value terms), and India (9.5% of exports in value terms) together accounted for only 38.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports NPK fertilizers to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia imported approximately 19 thousand tonnes of NPK fertilizers in 2021, showing a steep increase of 39.5% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 23.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 14 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Finland (25.5% of imports in kind), Israel (13.3% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (12.8% of imports in kind) were the main suppliers of NPK fertilizers to Russia, together comprising 51.6% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Russia imported approximately 23 million US dollars of NPK fertilizers in 2021, marking a steep gain of 38.1% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 24.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 16 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports of NPK fertilizers to Russia in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. The Netherlands (18.2% of imports in value terms), Israel (14.8% of imports in value terms), and Belgium (14.1% of imports in value terms) together accounted for just 47.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021