In 2022, the EU saw a sharp 10.3% reduction in mineral fertilizer use, driven by escalating prices linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The most significant declines were observed in nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers.

The quantity of mineral fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) used in EU agricultural production dropped to 9.8 million tons in 2022, representing a significant 10.3% decrease compared to 2021. This decline also marks a cumulative reduction of 15.9% from the peak usage recorded in 2017.

This downward trend in fertilizer use was largely driven by the sharp rise in fertilizer prices following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia. The European Commission highlighted these factors in its communication on safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems.

Nitrogen-based fertilizer use in EU agriculture fell to an estimated 8.9 million tons in 2022, a year-on-year decrease of 9.4%. The highest usage of nitrogen fertilizers was recorded in France (2.0 million tons) and Germany (1.1 million tons), reflecting their status as leading agricultural producers within the EU.

Phosphorus fertilizer use in the EU also saw a significant decline, dropping to 0.9 million tons in 2022, which is 17.9% less than in 2021. France, Spain, Italy, and Romania were the largest consumers of phosphorus-based fertilizers, collectively accounting for about half of the EU’s total use.

This reduction in fertilizer usage could have implications for agricultural output, particularly in key producing countries, and may influence the feed industry’s supply chain dynamics.