Controlled-release Fertilizers Market Outlook:
Controlled-release Fertilizers Market size was valued at USD 2.44 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately USD 5.86 billion by the end of 2037, rising at a CAGR of 7.18% during the forecast period of 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of controlled-release fertilizers is estimated at USD 2.58 billion.
The primary growth driver for global market is the need to raise food production without degrading the environment. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approximates that almost half of the world's food is produced using synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, but traditional nitrogen fertilizers waste about 16% in volatilization and runoff that pollute the environment. With controlled-release fertilizers, crop response is improved by coordination of nutrient release with crop uptake of nutrients; hence, nitrogen loss is reduced and the nitrogen-use efficiency is improved by more than 11%. Consequently, higher production can be realized from the available farmland. Besides supporting the "Zero-Growth Action Plan," the official Chinese data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs indicates that the usage of CRFs has increased by 26% year-on-year in the year 2023. This indicates strong policy support for intensive farming that minimizes environmental impact.
The supply chain of CRFs is based predominantly on nitrogen (urea), phosphate, and coating polymers. Global nitrogen fertilizer (urea) production capacity was close to 197 million metric tons in 2022, with an intake of 189 million tons to rise with greater dependence on North American and Canadian imports. In September 2023, Sollio Agriculture commenced construction of a new Controlled-Release Fertilizer (CRF) facility in Ontario, designed with an annual production capacity of 100,100 tons. The facility is expected to utilize advanced polymer-coating technology to achieve a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the company's broader sustainability objectives. Research by the USDA shows that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for fertilizers made of nitrogen is higher than the Consumer Price Index (CPI), reflecting higher production costs under less-than-certain inputs such as natural gas. R&D expenditure is robust with support from a $251 million Commodity Credit Corporation grant from the USDA to support domestic fertilizer research. Fertilizer trade channels globally have also been stabilized over the last three decades to provide an uninterrupted raw material supply even during disruption.
Controlled-release Fertilizers Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
-
Precision agriculture integration: Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) are also gaining pace along with precision agriculture tools like IoT-based soil sensors, satellite imaging, and GPS-guided farm machinery. Precision farming has the potential to bring the utilization efficiency of fertilizers up by 31%, environmental runoff up by 21–41% and crop yields up by 10%–16%, according to TechSci Research. Additionally, controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs), with their regulated nutrient release patterns, support precision farming by minimizing nutrient loss and reducing labor costs, thereby facilitating the repeated application of fertilizers. Precision agriculture is spreading across the world, with growth in adoption expected to increase at a 13% CAGR through 2030. CRFs are likely to reap benefits from such a trend, especially on high-input crops of specialty vegetables, corn, and wheat.
-
Innovations in coating technology: New technological advancements in CRF coating material, like biodegradable polymers, sulfur coating, and nanotechnology-based coatings, are fueling the industry. Tailor-made release durations of nutrients (30, 60, 90 days) according to distinctive crop cycles and soil type are made possible through innovations. Polymer-coated urea, for instance, has been shown to provide up to a 66% increase in nitrogen use efficiency and a 42–52% leach reduction (source: TechSci Research). Nanocoated fertilizers also enhance the solubility and uptake of plant nutrients, especially in troubled soils. Moreover, the worldwide market for biodegradable polymer coatings is anticipated to expand at a rate of 12.9% by 2030, enhancing their ability to act as a differentiator. They not only enhance agronomic performance but also assist farmers in attaining regulatory and sustainability objectives, driving controlled-release fertilizers market penetration.
1. Market Volume and Growth Trends in The Global Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market:
Market Price History (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Average Global CRF Price (USD/Metric Ton) |
Key Price Movements & Drivers |
|
2019 |
$851 |
Stable prices; raw material steady |
|
2020 |
$781 |
Decline due to COVID-19 demand drop and supply chain delays |
|
2021 |
$951 |
22% rise; supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages (ethylene + polymer coatings) |
|
2022 |
$1,231 |
30% spike in ammonia prices from Russia-Ukraine conflict affecting fertilizer inputs |
|
2023 |
$1,151 |
Slight correction; inflation pressures + shipping costs remain high |
|
2024 |
$1,201 (est.) |
Market stabilizing; rising demand for sustainable agriculture drives the price floor |
Global Controlled-release Fertilizer Unit Sales Volume (Million Metric Tons) & Regional Breakdown (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Total Global Sales (MMT) |
North America (%) |
Asia-Pacific (%) |
Europe (%) |
Latin America (%) |
|
2019 |
4.3 |
28% |
39% |
21% |
15% |
|
2020 |
3.7 |
26% |
41% |
18% |
17% |
|
2021 |
4.4 |
31% |
43% |
19% |
11% |
|
2022 |
5.1 |
33% |
45% |
18% |
8% |
|
2023 |
5.4 |
35% |
46% |
17% |
6% |
|
2024* |
5.6 |
36% |
47% |
16% |
5% |
Forward Five-Year Market Projections (2025–2028)
|
Region |
CAGR (2025–2028) |
Projection Period |
Key Drivers |
|
Global |
~6.6% |
2022–2031 |
Growing demand for precision agriculture and sustainability-aligned fertilizers |
|
Asia–Pacific |
~6.7% |
to 2033 |
Large-scale farming in China, India, tech adoption, policy push for low-carbon agri-inputs |
|
India |
~7.4% |
2024–2030 |
Government fertilizer subsidies, neem-coated CRF promotion, and higher crop intensity |
|
Southeast Asia |
~6.4% (est.) |
2025–2030 |
Increasing food exports, crop diversification, and eco-farming techniques |
|
North America |
Fastest Growth Region |
2025–2028 |
USDA’s $29.1M fertilizer capacity grant program, climate-smart agriculture initiatives |
2. Global Controlled-release Fertilizer Production Data Analysis
Production Data Analysis (2019–2024)
|
Producer |
2019 Production (MT) |
2020 Production (MT) |
2021 Production (MT) |
2022 Production (MT) |
2023 Production (MT) |
2024 Production (MT) |
5-Year CAGR (%) |
Capacity Utilization (%) |
|
Yara International |
2,781,000 |
2,861,000 |
2,941,000 |
3,051,000 |
3,121,000 |
3,201,000 |
3.1% |
88% |
|
Nutrien Ltd. |
2,151,000 |
2,231,000 |
2,311,000 |
2,421,000 |
2,511,000 |
2,601,000 |
3.% |
86% |
|
ICL Group |
1,110,000 |
1,161,000 |
1,221,000 |
1,281,000 |
1,331,000 |
1,381,000 |
4.2% |
83% |
|
Mosaic Co. |
1,310,000 |
1,371,000 |
1,441,000 |
1,521,000 |
1,591,000 |
1,651,000 |
4.4% |
82% |
|
Haifa Chemicals |
551,000 |
581,000 |
611,000 |
641,000 |
67,000 |
7,001,000 |
5.5% |
79% |
|
Koch Industries |
720,000 |
750,000 |
780,000 |
820,000 |
850,000 |
880,000 |
5.0% |
75% |
|
Kingenta Group |
981,000 |
1,021,000 |
1,061,000 |
1,111,000 |
1,151,000 |
1,201,000 |
3.6% |
85% |
Regional Production & Growth Trends (2019–2024)
|
Region |
Production Volume 2019 (MT) |
Production Volume 2024 (MT) |
5-Year CAGR (%) |
Notes |
|
North America |
5,410,000 |
6,100,000 |
2.1% |
USDA grants supported ~29M USD investments in fertilizer production (2023) |
|
Asia-Pacific |
6,810,000 |
8,610,000 |
5.3% |
India's growth at 7.4% CAGR due to rising CRF demand; China's production expansion is ongoing |
|
Europe |
3,200,100 |
3,401,000 |
1.3% |
Regulatory tightening impacts growth; focus on sustainable fertilizers |
|
South America |
1,500,010 |
1,701,000 |
2.6% |
Brazil and Argentina investments in CRF capacity expansion |
|
Africa & Middle East |
600,100 |
800,100 |
6.4% |
Increasing demand in emerging agricultural markets |
Challenges
-
High production costs: Controlled-release fertilizers are made through advanced coating technologies and special raw materials; all these make costs largely higher than opposed of ordinary fertilizers. High costs mean farmers who cultivate on a small scale are least likely to afford these fertilizers, thus slowing down market penetration in developing areas. Such higher production costs then affect pricing strategy, increasing prices and consequently delaying their widespread application by farmers..
-
Regulatory compliance burden: Increasingly stringent environmental legislations for fertilizers impose rising compliance costs upon manufacturers, sometimes rising to 16%. These regulatory requirements call for steady investment into research and development and the upgrading of manufacturing facilities, putting serious constraints on their operational budgets. The intricate regulatory environment in various regions in turn delays launches of products and their expansion in markets, thereby hindering the entire market growth.
Controlled-release Fertilizers Market Size and Forecast:
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
7.18% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 2.44 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 5.86 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Controlled-release Fertilizer Market Segmentation:
Coating Type Segment Analysis
The polymer-coated segment is projected to account for around 76% of the market share in the global controlled-release fertilizers market by 2037. Polymer-based coating fertilizers dominate the market due to their superior capability to precisely regulate nutrient release, minimize nitrogen losses through volatilization and leaching, and enhance overall fertilizer efficiency. The dominance of this sub-segment is due to its high ability for precise nutrient regulation while limiting nitrogen losses in the atmosphere by volatilization or eventually being washed down by leaching. Research studies have revealed that polymer-coated CRF fertilizers can enhance crop yield by close to 21% while simultaneously reducing the instances of fertilizer application by around 31-41%, thereby generating economic and environmental advantages. Polymer-sulfur coated fertilizers lie next in prominence and constitute roughly 17-21% in terms of market share, owing to their cost-effectiveness and the release of two nutrients and sulfur. However, polymer-coated variants continue to be preferred in intensive agriculture, and this enhanced performance has contributed to rapid uptake in Asia-Pacific and North America, where sustainability and yield maximization are key driving factors.
Mode of Application Segment Analysis
Soil application is estimated to dominate the worldwide controlled-release fertilizers market and is expected to hold roughly 60% of the market share by 2037. Such a preferred form is due to the method’s considerable ease of application and its compatibility with large-scale mechanized farm production of staple crops such as cereals, maize, and rice. Once applied, CRF-soil interaction holds nutrients more in the root zone, maximizes the uptake efficiency, and minimizes environmental runoff. Foliar application, with a lesser market share of around 26%, is becoming popular with high-value horticultural and specialty crops because of their requirements for quick absorption and precise application. Fertigation contributes to the remaining 16%, whereby it fertilizes through irrigation, allowing precision application of fertilizer and water conservation relevant for arid and semi-arid regions. The trend of fertigation continues its steady growth owing to the growing application of smart irrigation technologies and the massive push for efficient utilization of resources for farming across the globe.
Our in-depth analysis of the global controlled-release fertilizers market includes the following segments:
|
Segment |
Subsegment |
|
Coating Type |
|
|
Crop Type |
|
|
Mode of Application |
|
|
Nutrient Type |
|
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Controlled-release Fertilizer Market - Regional Analysis
Asia Pacific Market Insights
The Asia Pacific controlled-release fertilizers market is expected to account for 40% market share by 2037. Rising demand due to policy drivers for sustainable agriculture, water management, and growing food needs is driving the market in the region. Governments in the region are spending on industrial uses and research of nutrient-efficient technologies like polymer-coated fertilizers to lower their environmental impact. China and India's high-stakes maize, rice, and horticulture farming, farm revenue growth, and adoption of smart farming are also driving market adoption ahead.
China is expected to lead the APAC controlled-release fertilizers market in 2037 with a 15–18% share. Drivers are aggressive government backing the NDRC and MEE, mandating nitrogen runoff limits, and encouraging high-efficiency fertilizer manufacturers. The Chinese CRF market experienced over 61% of its manufacturers experiencing growing adoption upon becoming the beneficiaries of the "Green Chemical Industry Plan," backed by the USD 1.3 billion of industrial subsidies. Additionally, polymer-coating patent filings submitted to CPCIF surged to over 1,810 in 2023, signaling significant upcoming innovations in the sector. The agricultural shift toward mechanized precision farming, along with increased maize and rice production, is further accelerating the adoption of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs).
India is expected to have the highest APAC CRF CAGR of 9% over 2025-2037. Government programs such as CHEMSAVE (budget increased by 81% since 2021), DST grants for green fertilizer, and FICCI programs for industry-academia collaborations are the key drivers. Indian farmers are at 1,210 today with the use of CRF technology, generating 21% year-over-year market growth. The primary growth drivers are increasing environmental controls (decreases groundwater nitrate), growth of horticulture & cash crops, and domestic private investment in Maharashtra & Punjab for polymer-coated fertilizer facilities. DST-sponsored installations of coated-fertilizer lines valued at USD 41 M in 2023 reflected India's local manufacturing drive.
APAC Country-wise Insights: Market Share & Government Initiatives
|
Country |
2037 CRF Share |
Initiatives & Funding |
|
China |
15–18% |
NDRC “Green Chemical Plan”; USD 1.2B subsidies; >60% upgrade rate |
|
India |
12–14% |
CHEMSAVE USD 120M; >1,200 adopters; 9% CAGR; DST grants |
|
Japan |
7–9% |
METI 2.8% CRF budget; ¥4B GaAs eco-monitoring; NEDO coating R&D |
|
South Korea |
5–6% |
48% green chemical investment increase; KRW 20B KITECH grants |
|
Malaysia |
3–4% |
MOSTI MYR 150M; 45 firms using CRF |
|
Australia |
2–3% |
AUS Dept of Industry eco-fertilizer grants (~AUD 30M) |
|
Indonesia |
1–2% |
Bapenas eco-agri fund; partnership with ICIC |
|
Rest of APAC |
1–2% |
Various pilot projects & grants in SEA and Taiwan |
North America Market Insights
By 2037, the controlled-release fertilizers market for CRFs encompassing North America is expected to generate 22% of the global revenue for CRF. Such a large market share surely reflects greater demand brought in by growing attention to sustainable agricultural practices, stringent environmental regulations, and the adoption of new technologies in fertilizers. Government policies to promote the reduction of nitrogen runoff and improved nutrient use efficiency, particularly in the high-value grain and corn crop production regions, are the major drivers. Also, enhanced farmer awareness of soil fertility and fertilizer efficiency is a major driver of adoption. The market is expected to transition at a 5.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025 to 2037 with ongoing innovation and regulatory frameworks.
In the US, where it controls a market share of about 18% of the global controlled-release fertilizers market, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict regulations that restrict nitrogen runoff and promote the use of effective nutrients in CRFs. EPA's Water Quality Trading Program offers a monetary incentive to farmers to employ controlled-release fertilizers, resulting in improved water quality. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) spends around 5% of its budget on operations in the chemical industry, focusing on clean manufacturing process initiatives, including green fertilizer coatings. The USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) subsidizes farmers with grants and cost-sharing to put new fertilizer technology into practice. These types of projects fuel growing CRF penetration and encourage innovation, enabling the U.S. market to expand step-by-step.
Canada represents approximately 4% of the global controlled-release fertilizers market share, supported by government agencies like Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The government spends approximately 4% of the budget of the chemical industry on sustainability activities with emphasis on greenhouse gas reductions and nutrient efficiency. Initiatives like the Growing Forward 2 program encourage collaborations between growers and researchers to maximize the application of CRFs in the main agricultural industries. CRF products are said to fulfill high levels of environmental and safety standards by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). All these collaborations and investments position Canada as a growth leader in the North American controlled-release fertilizers market.
Europe Market Insights
With stringent goals for sustainability and regulations in force for nutrient pollution (e.g., the Nitrates Directive), and a population inclined towards quality products, the European controlled-release fertilizers sector is expected to come to account for over 18% of the global share in 2037. Governments across the NUTS of the EU have put in place different funding programs and regulatory arrangements to promote polymer-coated fertilizers and reduce nitrogen application. Further research and development support programs and activities under EU schemes like the Farm to Fork Strategy and Horizon Europe that aim to reduce fertilizer wastage and improve soil health. All this put together contributes to the further development of the market in terms of precision agriculture, digital field monitoring, and investment in biodegradable coating technology.
Country-Wise Analysis of The Controlled-Release Fertilizer Market in Europe
|
Country |
Market Insights |
Advanced Technologies |
Future Strategies |
Key Statistics |
|
Germany |
Largest market for CRFs; high adoption in precision farming. |
Polymer-coated urea, nano-coated fertilizers, and IoT-based nutrient management. |
Expand smart farming integration; reduce nitrogen leaching. |
Market size: €220M (2024); 8% CAGR (2025-30). |
|
France |
Strong government support for sustainable agriculture; CRFs used in vineyards & cereals. |
Bio-based coatings (starch, lignin), slow-release micronutrient fertilizers. |
Promote CRFs in organic farming via subsidies. |
15% of French farms use CRFs; €150M market. |
|
Netherlands |
Leader in agri-tech; high CRF adoption in greenhouse farming. |
Water-responsive hydrogel coatings, drip irrigation-coupled CRFs. |
Achieve a 50% reduction in fertilizer runoff by 2030. |
€90M CRF market; 40% used in horticulture. |
|
Spain |
CRF demand rising due to water scarcity & high-value crops (citrus, olives). |
Sulfur-coated urea (SCU), biodegradable polymer coatings. |
Focus on drought-resistant CRF formulations. |
Market growth: 10% CAGR; €80M in 2024. |
|
Italy |
CRFs gaining traction in vineyards & orchards. |
3D-printed fertilizer pellets, smart CRFs with pH-responsive release. |
EU-funded projects for circular economy in CRF production. |
€70M market; 12% of Italian farms testing CRFs. |
|
Poland |
Emerging market with growing large-scale farming. |
Clay-coated CRFs, hybrid (organic + synthetic) slow-release fertilizers. |
Subsidies for CRFs under EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). |
€40M market; 20% growth (2023-24). |
|
UK |
Post-Brexit focus on sustainable agriculture drives CRF adoption. |
AI-driven CRF dosing systems, seaweed-based coatings. |
Tax incentives for farmers using CRFs. |
€60M market; 25% reduction in fertilizer waste targeted by 2027. |
Key Controlled-Release Market Players:
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
The global controlled-release fertilizers market is moderately consolidated, with dominant players like Yara, Nutrien, Mosaic, ICL, and Haifa collectively holding over 30% of the market share. Key strategies include expansion through mergers and acquisitions (e.g., Yara’s purchase of Ecolan), partnerships for advanced coatings (Nutrien’s MOU with CoteX Technologies), and facility enhancements (Haifa’s Savannah production unit for Multicote). Companies are heavily investing in R&D to develop biodegradable polymers, precision nutrient delivery, and sustainable formulations. This competitive positioning allows them to serve diverse markets from large-scale agriculture to specialty horticulture, while meeting stringent environmental regulations globally.
Top Global Manufacturers in the Global Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market
|
Company Name |
Country of Origin |
Estimated Market Share (2037) |
|
Yara International ASA |
Norway |
9% |
|
Nutrien Ltd. |
Canada |
8% |
|
The Mosaic Company |
USA |
7% |
|
ICL Specialty Fertilizers |
Israel |
6% |
|
Haifa Group |
Israel |
4% |
|
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company |
USA |
5% |
|
Koch Industries, Inc. |
USA |
xx% |
|
Nufarm Ltd. |
Australia |
xx% |
|
Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group |
China |
xx% |
|
COMPO EXPERT GmbH |
Germany |
xx% |
|
SQM S.A. |
Chile |
xx% |
|
Florikan ESA LLC |
USA |
xx% |
|
J.R. Simplot Company |
USA |
xx% |
Here are a few areas of focus covered in the competitive landscape of the controlled-release fertilizers market:
Recent Developments
- In January 2025, Nutrien Ltd. announced a $250 million expansion of its CRF manufacturing capacity in North America to meet rising global demand for sustainable fertilizer solutions. The project focuses on integrating biodegradable polymer coatings and aims to reduce nutrient runoff by 30% in pilot programs across the U.S. and Canada. Nutrien highlighted Asia-Pacific and Latin America as key growth markets for the new product line, aligning with global environmental targets.
- In October 2024, Yara International ASA unveiled a strategic partnership with the European Innovation Council to launch a €150 million fund dedicated to CRF research and sustainable agriculture technologies. The initiative prioritizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions in fertilizer production and aims to commercialize next-generation slow-release nutrient formulations by 2028, supporting the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.
Author Credits: Rajrani Baghel
- Report ID: 7835
- Published Date: Jun 30, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
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