Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Granular Fertilizers, Liquid Fertilizers), By Application (Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscaping, Lawn Care), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Overview

The Water Soluble Fertilizers Market size was valued at USD 8.12 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 14.96 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.94% from 2025 to 2033.

The water soluble fertilizers market has become a key segment of the global agricultural input industry due to its efficiency, fast nutrient release, and compatibility with advanced irrigation methods. In 2023, more than 7.4 million metric tons of water soluble fertilizers were consumed globally.

Among these, nitrogen-based fertilizers accounted for over 3.2 million metric tons. The market also saw a significant rise in micronutrient blends, which contributed 18% of total demand. More than 92 countries actively imported water soluble fertilizers, with India, China, and the United States leading the import volumes.

Greenhouse and protected farming segments used over 2.1 million metric tons of water soluble fertilizers to support high-value crops. The fertigation technique, which integrates fertilizers into irrigation systems, saw adoption in 68% of new agricultural installations in 2023. Additionally, over 1.9 million hectares of farmland were newly covered under drip and sprinkler systems supporting water soluble fertilizer application.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increasing adoption of precision agriculture and fertigation methods globally.

COUNTRY/REGION: Asia-Pacific accounted for over 39% of the total demand in 2023, driven by high usage in China and India.

SEGMENT: Nitrogen-based water soluble fertilizers were the leading segment, contributing over 3.2 million metric tons globally.

Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Trends

In 2023, global consumption of water soluble fertilizers continued to rise, driven by the need for sustainable agriculture and efficient nutrient delivery systems. More than 7.4 million metric tons were consumed worldwide, with Europe accounting for 1.6 million metric tons and Asia-Pacific for 2.9 million metric tons. The rising trend of fertigation in large-scale farms led to a 41% year-over-year increase in demand from irrigation-based application systems. The shift toward high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and flowers supported this growth, with 2.3 million hectares of land dedicated to such crops relying heavily on soluble fertilizers. Technological advancements contributed to market trends, as 560 new precision agriculture devices were integrated with water soluble fertilizer management. Sensor-controlled irrigation systems that automate fertigation were implemented across 840,000 hectares in 2023. Also, 420,000 farmers adopted water testing kits to monitor fertilizer impact and reduce wastage. Environmentally focused trends also gained traction. Organic and low-salt index water soluble fertilizers grew by 28% in 2023. Over 320 new eco-friendly formulations entered the market. Manufacturers invested heavily in biodegradable packaging, with 18% of global supply now offered in recyclable containers. The trend toward localized formulations adapted to soil conditions increased, with 1.2 million metric tons of region-specific fertilizer blends sold in 2023. Meanwhile, digital platforms and e-commerce facilitated the sale of 2.7 million units, primarily in North America and Asia-Pacific.

Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Dynamics

The global water soluble fertilizers market is shaped by technological advancements, growing demand for precision agriculture, and increasing environmental concerns. In 2023, over 1.9 million hectares of farmland were newly irrigated using fertigation-compatible systems, boosting demand for fast-absorbing fertilizers. Over 68% of those installations integrated water soluble fertilizers, significantly improving nutrient uptake efficiency by 25%. Fertilizer runoff was reduced by 31%, enhancing sustainability. High-value crops like tomatoes and strawberries drove this trend, with more than 2.3 million hectares under these crops globally.

DRIVER

Expanding adoption of fertigation in precision agriculture.

In 2023, more than 1.9 million hectares of farmland were newly irrigated with drip and sprinkler systems, up from 1.4 million in 2022. Over 68% of these systems incorporated fertigation solutions using water soluble fertilizers. With fertigation leading to 25% higher nutrient uptake efficiency, adoption has surged among producers of tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, and greenhouse vegetables. This method also reduces nutrient runoff by 31%, addressing sustainability targets. In Israel and India, fertigation units were adopted in over 360,000 hectares in 2023 alone. The growing focus on real-time nutrient delivery via smart irrigation systems continues to fuel demand for water soluble fertilizers.

RESTRAINT

Limited awareness among small-scale farmers and high cost of installation.

Despite wide benefits, limited awareness and high initial setup costs restrict adoption in several regions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than 14% of smallholder farmers use water soluble fertilizers. Additionally, fertigation system installation costs range between USD 600 to USD 1,200 per hectare, limiting market access in low-income agricultural zones. Over 2.1 million hectares of cultivable land in South Asia remain underserved due to lack of training, insufficient government support, and absence of distribution infrastructure for soluble formulations. Furthermore, traditional bulk fertilizers still dominate in price-sensitive regions, accounting for 63% of consumption in developing countries.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising demand for specialty crop production and export-oriented agriculture.

High-value crop production has grown globally, with over 2.3 million hectares dedicated to fruits, vegetables, and flowers in 2023. These crops rely on precision feeding through water soluble fertilizers to meet quality and export standards. Countries like Kenya, Morocco, Mexico, and Vietnam increased their use of soluble fertilizers by 37% year-over-year for greenhouse and export crop production. The expansion of protected agriculture units globally—over 740,000 new greenhouses in 2023—also presents a significant opportunity. Export-driven farming operations in Latin America and Southeast Asia adopted customized fertigation schedules for compliance with global residue limits. These shifts open doors for customized blends and traceable input use.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory restrictions and quality inconsistency in emerging markets.

In 2023, more than 37 countries introduced new regulations on fertilizer labeling, heavy metal content, and water solubility thresholds. Variability in enforcement across markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe has created challenges for suppliers. Over 480 product batches were rejected in cross-border inspections due to non-compliance with new nitrate content limits. Inconsistent formulation standards further complicate product registration and farmer adoption. Around 220 reported cases of crop damage were linked to low-quality or counterfeit products. These issues strain distributor relationships and slow penetration in emerging markets, especially where quality assurance systems are still evolving.

Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Segmentation

The water soluble fertilizers market is segmented by type and application to better reflect usage patterns across farming systems and crop types. By Type, granular water soluble fertilizers held 58% of the global market, with over 4.3 million metric tons consumed in 2023. These are favored for their long shelf-life and ease of handling in open-field cultivation. Granular formulations are widely used for maize, citrus, and wheat across Brazil, Australia, and the U.S.By Application, agriculture led with 4.8 million metric tons used, especially in cereals and pulses. Horticulture consumed 1.9 million metric tons, benefitting from fertigation and greenhouse cultivation. Landscaping and lawn care used around 700,000 metric tons in 2023, with the U.S. consuming 420,000 metric tons alone for parks, golf courses, and urban green spaces.

By Type

• Granular Fertilizers: Granular water soluble fertilizers represented 58% of the global market in 2023, with over 4.3 million metric tons consumed. These are favored in large-scale farming operations due to ease of transport and controlled release features. Granular forms were widely used in maize, wheat, and citrus production, especially in regions like Brazil, USA, and Australia.
• Liquid Fertilizers: Liquid formulations accounted for 42% of market volume, with over 3.1 million metric tons sold in 2023. These are especially effective in fertigation systems and were used across 1.5 million hectares under protected cultivation. Their fast-acting nature supported time-sensitive nutrient application in crops like strawberries, lettuce, and flowers.

By Application

• Agriculture: Conventional agriculture remained the largest application area, using over 4.8 million metric tons of water soluble fertilizers. Cereal crops, oilseeds, and pulses drove demand, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
• Horticulture: Over 1.9 million metric tons of fertilizers were applied in fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This segment benefited most from fertigation techniques and greenhouse farming practices.
• Landscaping and Lawn Care: Representing 0.7 million metric tons in 2023, this segment saw increasing uptake across urban and peri-urban areas, with the USA alone consuming 420,000 metric tons for lawn and golf course maintenance.

Regional Outlook for the Water Soluble Fertilizers Market

The global water soluble fertilizers market demonstrates strong regional variations in adoption and consumption, influenced by agricultural practices, climate conditions, and government policies.

• North America

North America remained a mature and highly mechanized market for water soluble fertilizers in 2023. The region consumed over 1.5 million metric tons, with the United States alone accounting for 1.1 million. Widespread use of fertigation and GPS-based nutrient management was evident across 870,000 hectares.

• Europe

Europe continued to emphasize sustainable farming practices and regulatory compliance. The region consumed 1.6 million metric tons of water soluble fertilizers in 2023. France, Spain, and Italy led demand, especially for viticulture and greenhouse-grown produce. Over 490,000 hectares in the EU adopted eco-certified soluble formulations.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific led globally with 2.9 million metric tons consumed in 2023. China accounted for 1.7 million, while India contributed 0.84 million metric tons. Widespread adoption of micro-irrigation and subsidy-backed fertilizer distribution in these countries fueled demand. Protected cultivation area exceeded 1.1 million hectares in this region.

• Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region consumed 1.1 million metric tons in 2023. Israel, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa were key consumers. Fertilizer use in date palms, vegetables, and floriculture drove regional growth. New irrigation projects added 190,000 hectares to soluble fertilizer-supported land use.

List of Top Water Soluble Fertilizers Companies

• Nutrien Ltd. (Canada)
• Yara International ASA (Norway)
• ICL Group Ltd. (Israel)
• K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany)
• Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (Chile)
• Haifa Group (Israel)
• Coromandel International Ltd. (India)
• EuroChem Group (Switzerland)
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (India)
• Koch Industries Inc. (USA)

Nutrien Ltd. (Canada): Supplied over 2.3 million metric tons of water soluble fertilizers in 2023 across 80+ countries. Its products supported over 1 million hectares of high-value crops under fertigation.

Yara International ASA (Norway): Provided 2.1 million metric tons of soluble formulations, with tailored blends for over 45 different crops. Its research-based precision nutrition programs covered 870,000 hectares in 2023.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the water soluble fertilizers market have increased sharply due to rising demand for sustainable and precision agriculture. In 2023, more than 170 public-private partnerships were established to expand fertigation infrastructure in developing regions. Governments in India, Kenya, and Vietnam invested in subsidies and farmer training programs that supported the use of water soluble fertilizers across 600,000 hectares. Private sector activity also intensified, with over 1.4 billion USD equivalent allocated to developing new production plants and blending units in Asia-Pacific and South America. More than 230 new formulation facilities were commissioned globally, with 94 in China and India alone. Companies also invested in smart packaging and traceable product labeling systems, deployed across 17% of new SKUs. Digital platforms for fertilizer advisory services gained traction. Over 860 agri-tech startups integrated fertilizer optimization tools, reaching 2.2 million farmers via mobile apps. In Latin America, 310,000 farmers adopted sensor-based fertigation systems with support from multilateral investment agencies. Strategic investments in low-salt and chloride-free fertilizers gained momentum, with over 120 R&D projects initiated in 2023. These supported high-end crop segments like berries and medicinal plants. Emerging markets in Africa and Southeast Asia are seen as high-opportunity zones, with consumption expected to grow as irrigation networks expand.

New Product Development

Innovation in the water soluble fertilizers market accelerated in 2023, with over 620 new products launched globally. These included nitrate-based, potassium-rich, and micronutrient blends. Over 210 products were tailored for foliar spray use, supporting rapid nutrient absorption. In response to environmental concerns, 180 eco-labeled and biodegradable packaging solutions were introduced. Products with reduced heavy metal content grew by 32%, targeting the premium export crop segment. Over 75 manufacturers launched smart-solubility formulations designed to minimize clogging in drip lines, now used across 430,000 hectares. Companies like Haifa Group and Coromandel International launched AI-integrated fertigation schedules embedded in mobile apps. These tools enabled real-time monitoring across 2.7 million hectares globally. New chelated micronutrient products saw 48% growth, especially in citrus, banana, and floriculture sectors. Research partnerships resulted in the development of 94 patented blends that improve nutrient uptake by 21%. Controlled-release soluble fertilizers also gained traction, with 70 new products targeting seasonal crops. Companies expanded their regional labs and demo farms to trial these innovations across 36 countries.

Five Recent Developments

• Yara International launched a low-chloride potassium nitrate product for greenhouse crops in Q2 2023.
• Nutrien Ltd. expanded its liquid fertilizer blending unit in Brazil in Q3 2023.
• ICL Group introduced water soluble micronutrient packs tailored for drip systems in Q4 2023.
• Haifa Group launched a biodegradable packaging range for its soluble fertilizers in early 2024.
• Coromandel International initiated AI-based fertigation solutions across 6,200 farms in India in Q1 2024.

Report Coverage of Water Soluble Fertilizers Market

This report provides detailed coverage of the global water soluble fertilizers market, including over 2,500 words of structured data, insights, and forecasts. It examines usage trends, technology integration, and performance metrics across major regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. More than 7.4 million metric tons of fertilizers were used in 2023, led by Asia-Pacific with 2.9 million and North America with 1.5 million metric tons. The report categorizes market segmentation by type and application, highlighting granular and liquid formulations. Agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping represent major end-use categories. Dynamics such as fertigation adoption, regulatory shifts, and specialty crop expansion are analyzed with real-world data. Regional analysis includes more than 20 key countries with consumption volumes, application areas, and growth drivers. Company profiling focuses on Nutrien and Yara International, each supplying over 2 million metric tons in 2023. Investment patterns, public-private projects, and infrastructure expansion across irrigation and fertigation are also covered. With over 620 new products launched and 170 partnerships initiated, this report offers strategic insights for manufacturers, policymakers, and agribusiness leaders focused on sustainable productivity.

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