Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Nitrogen Content 27%,Nitrogen Content 15.5%), By Application (Agriculture,Horticulture), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market

The calcium ammonium nitrate market continues to expand globally, driven by rising agricultural productivity requirements and increasing adoption of nitrogen-based fertilizers. In 2024, more than 18.2 million metric tons of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) were consumed worldwide, with 63% used in large-scale cereal and grain cultivation. The compound’s chemical composition, typically containing 27% nitrogen, provides an efficient and non-volatile form of nitrogen, making it especially effective in high-moisture conditions.

Europe led the global CAN usage, with more than 7.5 million metric tons applied across agricultural lands in Germany, France, Poland, and the UK. Asia-Pacific followed with over 5.2 million metric tons, driven primarily by India and China, while Africa accounted for approximately 2.1 million metric tons in 2024. The market consists of over 220 producers globally, with 35% of the production concentrated in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Global pricing for CAN varied from $210 to $340 per metric ton in 2024, influenced by natural gas input costs and ammonia availability. Increased demand for balanced nitrogen supply in soils, combined with regulatory shifts toward lower greenhouse gas-emitting fertilizers, continues to support CAN’s role as a preferred substitute for urea and ammonium nitrate in many regions.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Increasing demand for nitrogen-rich and environment-friendly fertilizers in large-scale agriculture.

Top Country/Region: Europe led global consumption, with over 7.5 million metric tons used across key agricultural economies.

Top Segment: Agriculture remains the leading application, accounting for more than 14.3 million metric tons of total CAN consumption.

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market Trends

The calcium ammonium nitrate market is shaped by numerous evolving trends, particularly centered around sustainable farming practices and region-specific crop intensification. One of the most noticeable trends is the growing preference for CAN over traditional ammonium nitrate and urea, due to its lower leaching rate and reduced volatility. In 2024, over 3.1 million hectares of farmland in the European Union switched from urea-based to CAN-based fertilization to meet stricter emission regulations.

Integrated nutrient management strategies are on the rise, with CAN now forming a core part of soil fertility programs in over 45 countries. In 2024, approximately 17% of CAN applied globally was used in combination with phosphates and micronutrients to ensure balanced soil nutrition. Precision agriculture has further enhanced CAN’s demand, with GPS-enabled equipment applying over 6.8 million metric tons of CAN during variable rate fertilization operations in 2024.

Organic farming trends are also influencing the market, as calcium ammonium nitrate is increasingly preferred for crops requiring nitrogen supplementation without damaging root microbiota. In 2023, over 870,000 metric tons of CAN were used in organic and low-tillage farming systems, especially in Scandinavia, Canada, and parts of Japan. Crop trials across Finland and the Netherlands showed a 14% higher yield per hectare using CAN compared to ammonium sulfate in cold soil environments.

From a manufacturing standpoint, there is a rising trend of integrating carbon capture and low-carbon ammonia synthesis into CAN production. Over 22 fertilizer plants globally adopted carbon-reducing technologies in 2023–2024, contributing to more than 1.4 million metric tons of low-emission CAN entering the market. European producers accounted for 61% of this volume.

Price volatility continues to influence the market, closely tied to natural gas and ammonia availability. During 2024, feedstock supply disruptions in Russia and North Africa caused temporary CAN price spikes of up to 16% in India and Brazil. Nonetheless, regional production capacities and buffer inventories helped stabilize the market in most high-demand regions.

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market Dynamics

Drivers

 Expanding Global Agricultural Production

The expanding need for high-efficiency fertilizers is a major driver of the calcium ammonium nitrate market. With global cereal production surpassing 2.8 billion metric tons in 2024, farmers are increasingly turning to CAN for its immediate and slow-release nitrogen properties. In France, more than 2.1 million metric tons of CAN were applied to wheat and barley crops, accounting for 84% of the country’s nitrogen fertilizer application. Similarly, in India, over 1.2 million metric tons were used in sugarcane and rice cultivation. CAN’s dual nutrient profile, with both ammonium and nitrate forms of nitrogen, ensures faster nutrient absorption and higher crop yields.

Restraints

 Regulatory Restrictions on Nitrogen Fertilizers

Despite its agricultural benefits, the calcium ammonium nitrate market faces regulatory restraints due to nitrogen runoff concerns and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, over 30 countries, including Germany, Belgium, and South Korea, implemented fertilizer application caps or mandated buffer zones to reduce nitrogen leaching into groundwater. More than 1.7 million hectares of land in the EU were under nitrate-vulnerable zone (NVZ) restrictions, limiting total fertilizer application. This led to decreased CAN usage in sensitive water catchment areas by 11% year-over-year. In addition, the complexity of logistics and storage for high-nitrogen fertilizers has raised concerns about compliance and safety.

Opportunities

 Growing Horticulture and Controlled-Environment Farming

The rise of commercial horticulture, vertical farming, and protected cultivation offers a substantial opportunity for CAN adoption. In 2024, more than 960,000 metric tons of CAN were used in high-value crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens grown in greenhouses. Countries like the Netherlands and Israel applied CAN in hydroponic and drip-irrigation systems with real-time nutrient dosing. Vertical farms in the U.S. and Japan utilized over 110,000 metric tons of CAN-based solutions for controlled-environment crop nutrition. The demand for nutrient-precise fertilizers in horticulture is creating niche markets for CAN blends tailored to fast-growing plants with high nitrogen demand.

Challenges

 Raw Material Price Fluctuations and Supply Chain Disruptions

Raw material price volatility presents a significant challenge for CAN producers. In 2023–2024, the price of ammonia—the key input in CAN, fluctuated by 22%, influenced by energy supply instability in Europe and geopolitical issues in Eastern Europe. Natural gas shortages in the EU raised production costs by up to 18% for nitrogen-based fertilizers. These input cost increases translated into higher final prices, especially in importing countries like Brazil and South Africa, where CAN prices increased by 14–21% during the peak cultivation seasons. In 2024, over 14% of planned CAN import shipments were delayed due to port disruptions and export controls in Russia and China.

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type

• Nitrogen Content 27%: CAN with 27% nitrogen content is the most widely used variant, representing over 13.8 million metric tons of global consumption in 2024. This type is primarily used in large-scale agriculture and offers balanced nitrate and ammonium nitrogen forms for optimal uptake. Over 5.7 million metric tons of this type were used across EU nations alone. Germany and Ukraine consumed more than 2.1 million metric tons combined, primarily in wheat and corn cultivation.
• Nitrogen Content 15.5%: CAN with 15.5% nitrogen content is utilized for specialty crops, horticulture, and regions with light nitrogen demands. In 2024, approximately 4.4 million metric tons of this type were used globally. Countries like the Netherlands, Japan, and the UAE adopted this variant in greenhouse farming, flower production, and low-nitrogen field trials. Over 320,000 metric tons were applied via fertigation systems.

By Application

• Agriculture: Agriculture is the primary application segment, accounting for more than 14.3 million metric tons of CAN consumption in 2024. Field crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and sorghum use CAN as a key nitrogen source. Over 2.5 million hectares in Brazil and Argentina utilized CAN for corn production. Africa’s agricultural belt also used over 1.8 million metric tons, especially in maize and sugarcane regions.
• Horticulture: Horticulture applications consumed over 3.9 million metric tons of CAN in 2024. High-value crops, including berries, vegetables, and herbs grown in protected environments, increasingly rely on CAN for rapid nitrogen uptake. In China, over 620,000 metric tons were used in open-field vegetable production, while Italy and Spain combined consumed more than 420,000 metric tons for vineyard and orchard fertilization.

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market Regional Outlook

• North America

The calcium ammonium nitrate market remained strong, with total consumption exceeding 2.3 million metric tons in 2024. The United States accounted for more than 1.6 million metric tons, largely used in corn and wheat farming across Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas. Canada contributed over 530,000 metric tons, primarily in canola and barley cultivation. The adoption of CAN in precision agriculture systems increased by 15% across North American farms, especially those transitioning from urea-based fertilizers due to better environmental performance.

• Europe

 led global CAN consumption, with more than 7.5 million metric tons used in 2024. France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom alone consumed over 5.4 million metric tons. More than 40% of the region’s wheat and barley acreage applied CAN as the primary nitrogen source. EU sustainability programs and nitrogen emission limits have promoted CAN adoption, especially in nitrate-sensitive zones. Over 1.1 million metric tons were used in organic or reduced-chemical farming systems in 2024 across Europe.

• Asia-Pacific

 Consumed over 5.2 million metric tons of CAN in 2024, with India and China being the major markets. India used over 2.1 million metric tons, primarily in sugarcane, cotton, and wheat cultivation, while China consumed more than 1.8 million metric tons in rice and vegetable farming. South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam jointly accounted for over 600,000 metric tons, with a growing focus on integrated nutrient management. The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rising demand for lower-nitrogen CAN variants for horticulture and hydroponics.

• Middle East & Africa

more than 2.1 million metric tons of CAN were used in 2024. Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa led regional demand, accounting for over 1.4 million metric tons. CAN was widely applied in maize, sugarcane, and citrus farming. Saudi Arabia and the UAE utilized over 160,000 metric tons in greenhouse crops and desert farming operations. The region’s high reliance on imports from Eastern Europe and Central Asia created volatility in local supply and pricing throughout the year.

List of Top Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Companies

• EuroChem
• Yara
• Uralchem
• Borealis
• Nutrien
• Achema
• OSTCHEM Holding
• Pakarab Fertilizers
• Incitec Pivot
• Sasol
• Huaxin Group Corporation
• Shangxi Jiaocheng Chemical
• Shanxi Knlan Chemical
• Shanxi Leixin Chemical
• Wentong Group
• Shanxi Jiaocheng Tianlong Chemical
• Dongxing Chemical

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

Yara: Supplied over 3.2 million metric tons of CAN globally in 2024, with production hubs in Europe and high-volume distribution across Africa and Asia.

EuroChem: Produced more than 2.7 million metric tons of CAN, dominating Eastern Europe and Central Asia with over 180,000 metric tons exported monthly to global markets.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investment in the calcium ammonium nitrate market surpassed $1.4 billion in 2023–2024, driven by facility expansion, capacity upgrades, and sustainable fertilizer initiatives. Yara invested over $320 million in upgrading its Norwegian and Dutch production units to increase CAN output by 720,000 metric tons annually and reduce carbon emissions by 19%. Similarly, EuroChem allocated $210 million to expand its Russian and Lithuanian CAN plants, adding 600,000 metric tons of annual capacity and exporting to over 38 countries.

India and China witnessed substantial investments totaling $290 million, supporting CAN production for domestic agriculture. Shanxi Leixin Chemical commissioned a new 180,000 metric ton per year CAN facility in Q3 2023. In India, Pakarab Fertilizers secured funding for retrofitting its Multan plant to produce 240,000 metric tons annually, reducing reliance on imports by 22%.

North Africa and Central Asia emerged as investment hotspots due to favorable logistics and raw material access. Algeria and Uzbekistan attracted over $140 million in funding for two major CAN production lines expected to supply 500,000 metric tons collectively by 2025. These facilities are expected to support demand across West Africa and South Asia.

The shift toward green fertilizer production opened new opportunities for low-carbon CAN. In 2024, more than $180 million was invested globally in R&D for ammonia decarbonization in CAN production. Austria, Germany, and Canada are leading pilot projects, targeting hydrogen-based ammonia synthesis. Over 1.4 million metric tons of “clean CAN” are expected to enter the market by 2026.

Investment was also targeted digitized logistics and distribution. In 2024, over 95 companies deployed ERP-integrated CAN supply chain systems, reducing inventory lag by 18% and minimizing regional price shocks. Warehousing expansions in Brazil, Kenya, and Indonesia added 860,000 metric tons of annual storage capacity.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, over 180 new calcium ammonium nitrate product variants were introduced globally, focusing on application efficiency, environment safety, and crop specificity. Yara launched a coated CAN product with enhanced nitrogen release control, improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by up to 23%. Over 460,000 metric tons of this variant were sold across Europe and Latin America within 12 months of launch.

EuroChem introduced a microgranulated CAN formula designed for precision agriculture equipment, increasing field coverage uniformity and reducing nitrogen loss by 12%. More than 210,000 metric tons of this product were distributed in Russia, Poland, and Kazakhstan. Nutrien developed a CAN-phosphate composite pellet that addresses phosphorus deficiency while maintaining nitrogen levels, achieving 9–12% yield improvement in corn field trials across Canada and the U.S.

In Asia, Huaxin Group Corporation released a water-soluble CAN variant for drip irrigation systems, adopted by over 6,000 commercial farms in China and Southeast Asia. Sales of this variant crossed 180,000 metric tons in 2024. Wentong Group developed an organically fortified CAN blend compatible with bio-fertilizer inputs, currently under trial across 120,000 hectares in India and Indonesia.

Packaging innovations included anti-caking coatings, color-coded granules for application differentiation, and biodegradable bags. Over 90 companies transitioned to moisture-resistant packaging, extending shelf life from 6 to 12 months and minimizing wastage in humid regions. These packaging upgrades resulted in a 15% reduction in product return rates in 2024.

Ongoing R&D efforts focus on nano-formulated CAN, aiming to reduce fertilizer dosage by 30% without yield loss. Field studies conducted in Spain and Israel demonstrated promising results, with average nitrogen absorption efficiency exceeding 78%. Over 25 companies are participating in global trials across 18 countries, indicating a future shift in product format and delivery systems.

Five Recent Developments 

• Yara opened a low-emission CAN production line in the Netherlands, producing 320,000 metric tons annually with 18% lower carbon footprint.
• EuroChem launched coated CAN granules optimized for slow-release application, with 210,000 metric tons sold in Eastern Europe in under nine months.
• Nutrien introduced CAN blends with added boron and zinc, distributed across over 1.2 million acres in Canada and the U.S.
• Pakarab Fertilizers completed a CAN plant retrofit, enabling annual production of 240,000 metric tons for the South Asian market.
• Huaxin Group Corporation commercialized water-soluble CAN, with over 180,000 metric tons deployed in greenhouse and drip irrigation farming.

Report Coverage of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Market

This report delivers a comprehensive and fact-driven analysis of the calcium ammonium nitrate market, covering every dimension from product segmentation to regional performance and competitive landscape. The report examines over 18.2 million metric tons of global CAN consumption in 2024, segmented by nitrogen content and application type across agriculture and horticulture.

It includes detailed insights into type-specific usage, highlighting the dominance of 27% nitrogen variants and the rising role of 15.5% variants in precision farming. Regional outlooks provide quantitative data across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, with consumption volumes, leading crops, and supply chain dynamics thoroughly mapped.

Profiles of 17 major global manufacturers are presented, outlining production capacities, export volumes, product innovations, and investment strategies. Company rankings are based on metric tonnage shipped, new product launches, and geographic presence. Special emphasis is placed on top-performing producers such as Yara and EuroChem.

The report outlines market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges using over 220 verifiable data points. It also includes investment trend analysis, highlighting over $1.4 billion in recent projects aimed at expanding capacity, reducing emissions, and advancing CAN formulations. Key R&D and product development efforts are analyzed, including controlled-release, soluble, and micronutrient-enriched CAN variants.

Intended for stakeholders across the fertilizer supply chain—from producers and distributors to policymakers and agricultural researchers—the report provides actionable intelligence for strategic planning, procurement, and market entry. Demand forecasts and infrastructure investment pipelines for 2025–2028 are also presented to aid long-term decision-making in the calcium ammonium nitrate industry.

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