Controlled Release Fertilizers Market (2025-2032)

Arable land is one of the most important resources required to increase agricultural productivity. Numerous cultivation techniques and inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and crop protection chemicals, have emerged during the last decade, resulting in the overutilization of land resources, soil pollution, and diminished agricultural productivity.

According to FAO projections, per capita arable land may decrease from 0.21 hectares per person in 2024 to 0.18 hectares per person in 2050. Further, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Global Assessment of Land Degradation and Improvement (GLADA), globally, around two billion hectares of agricultural land have been degraded since the 1950s. Land degradation is one of the world’s most critical environmental problems, which will continue to worsen without rapid remedial action. Globally, around 25% of the total land area had been degraded till 2022. Land degradation releases soil carbon and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, making it a significant contributor to climate change. Scientists have warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost annually due to unsustainable agricultural practices (Source: Global Environment Facility). If this trend continues, 95% of the world’s land area is expected to be degraded by 2050.

Moreover, Africa and Latin America have the highest proportions of degraded agricultural land. Countries whose economies are largely dependent on agriculture have registered negative trends in land availability. The latest data published by India’s Ministry of Agriculture shows that as many as 20 states in India have reported a decrease of up to 790,000 hectares of cultivable land in the last 4–5 years. This decrease is mainly attributed to the diversion of cultivable land for non-agricultural purposes, including construction, industries, and other development.

On the other hand, the world population is growing rapidly. According to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN), the global population is expected to reach 8.6 billion by 2032, 9.8 billion by 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100. This growing global population has increased the pressure on the world’s agricultural resources to provide more and different types of food. The demand for nutrient-dense and residue-free food products has also increased due to consumers’ growing health awareness, socio-economic changes, increased incomes, and rapid urbanization. Thus, the growing population is driving the demand for crops for food, feed, and fuel, boosting the need to increase crop yield. Since crop yields are becoming increasingly important, the demand for cost-effective strategies to boost crop yields is also rising significantly. Also, reductions in agricultural land have compelled agricultural producers to become more efficient and productive.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the demand for cereals for human consumption and animal feed is projected to reach 3 billion tonnes by 2050, an increase from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2018. In addition, the rising demand for biofuels will continue to exert upward pressure on commodity prices, affecting food security and poverty levels in developing countries. Thus, fertilizers and modern agricultural practices with advanced technologies are necessary for breaking yield barriers and enhancing crop productivity to meet the rising global demand for food while ensuring the safety of the environment.

Controlled release fertilizers increase agriculture productivity by providing a slow and steady release of nutrients to plants over an extended period. This ensures that the plants receive a continuous supply of essential elements, promoting healthy growth and development. Thus, the declining arable land and rising demand for food are expected to boost the adoption of controlled release fertilizers, driving the growth of this market.