Fertilisers from A to Z

Ammonia (NH3) is the central nitrogen intermediate of the fertiliser industry, with 186 Mt produced in 2023 yet only 9 % traded on the international market.

Ammonium nitrate: nitrogenous fertiliser at 33-34.5% N, half ammoniacal and half nitric. Explosion hazard, strict regulation in the EU. Global solution production estimated at 40-45 Mt/year.

DAP (18-46-0) is the world's leading phosphate compound fertiliser, produced by neutralising phosphoric acid with ammonia. Global output reached 35 Mt in 2023.

Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) is a high-analysis NP fertiliser produced by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid.

Muriate of potash (MOP), the leading potash fertiliser with 60 % K2O, is produced by only a handful of countries and heavily traded on world markets.

Sulphur, an essential secondary nutrient for plants, is consumed at 90% as sulphuric acid, chiefly for manufacturing phosphate fertilisers.

Urea is the world's leading nitrogen fertiliser (46 % N), produced by reacting ammonia with CO₂. Its manufacture, trade and agronomic use shape the market.

Haber-Bosch process: high-pressure catalytic synthesis of ammonia, the foundation of the global nitrogen industry since 1913.

Fertiliser units N, P₂O₅ and K₂O standardise the expression of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in fertilisers and agronomic balances.

The FOB, CFR and FCA terms define the allocation of costs and risks in international fertiliser contracts, essential for spot price formation and trade arbitrage.

The CBAM is a European carbon border adjustment mechanism, applied to fertilisers and other goods at risk of carbon leakage from 2026.