Forecast Period | 2025-2029 |
Market Size (2023) | USD 37.65 billion |
CAGR (2024-2029) | 3.68% |
Fastest Growing Segment | Calcium |
Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
Market Size (2029) | USD 46.23 billion |
Market Overview
Global Secondary Macronutrients Market was valued at USD 37.65 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 3.68% through 2029.
Secondary macronutrients play a crucial role in plant cultivation, aiding distressed plants and promoting overall growth. These essential nutrients, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), have a lower requirement compared to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash, but are still more vital than micronutrients. Calcium facilitates nutrient absorption from the soil, magnesium acts as an enzyme activator, boosting growth, and sulfur protects leaves from premature aging and yellowing.
The pollutant resistance property offered by macronutrients to plants increases their demand. The increasing awareness of the benefits of secondary macronutrients, coupled with limited arable land, positively impacts the secondary macronutrients market. Furthermore, the adoption of site-specific nutrient management through precision agriculture, the growing demand for industrial crops, and investments in agricultural operations in developing nations present lucrative opportunities for market players.
Key Market Drivers
Growing Emphasis on Soil Health
Secondary macronutrients, namely calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), are crucial for optimal plant growth and development. They play a vital role in various biological processes, including photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and cell division. Despite their significance, secondary macronutrients often take a backseat to primary macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
As the global agricultural community becomes more enlightened about the crucial role of secondary macronutrients, the demand for these nutrients has witnessed a substantial increase. Farmers and agronomists now recognize that deficiencies in secondary macronutrients can lead to decreased crop yield and compromised quality.
Surge in Crop Diversification
Crop diversification, the practice of growing multiple crop species in the same area, is gaining popularity worldwide. It is seen as a crucial strategy to secure the global food supply and build resilience against future shocks. By diversifying crops, farmers can reduce the risk of crop failure due to pests, diseases, or adverse weather conditions. Additionally, crop diversification promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing the dependency on a single crop and minimizing the negative environmental impacts associated with monocultures.
Secondary macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, etc. play a pivotal role in supporting diversified cropping systems. Different crops have varying nutritional requirements, and secondary macronutrients are crucial in fulfilling these needs. Calcium, for example, is essential for strong cell walls and proper nutrient uptake in plants. Magnesium is a central component of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis, while sulfur is necessary for protein synthesis and enzyme activity. These secondary macronutrients support vital plant functions such as photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and cell division, thereby contributing to healthy and diverse crop production.
With the continued surge in crop diversification, the secondary macronutrients market is set for substantial growth. As farmers and agronomists increasingly recognize the importance of balanced plant nutrition for diverse crops, the demand for secondary macronutrients is expected to rise. This presents an opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers of secondary macronutrients to meet the growing needs of farmers worldwide, contributing to sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.
Key Market Challenges
Surge in Environmental Concerns
While secondary macronutrients are vital for plant health, their overuse and misuse can lead to severe environmental issues. Excessive application of these nutrients can cause nutrient runoff into water bodies, leading to eutrophication, a process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, causing algal blooms that deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.
In response to these environmental concerns, regulatory bodies worldwide have implemented stringent regulations on nutrient management. For instance, the European Union's Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources from polluting ground and surface water. These regulations pose a challenge to the secondary macronutrients market as they require manufacturers and farmers to adopt sustainable practices, which may involve additional costs and complexity.
Key Market Trends
Growing Focus on Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is an approach that aims to ensure that the current food and textile requirements of society are met, while also safeguarding the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses three key objectivesmaintaining environmental health, ensuring economic profitability, and promoting social and economic equity.
As the global community becomes increasingly aware of the environmental impacts associated with conventional farming methods, there is a growing trend towards adopting sustainable agricultural practices. This shift in mindset is evident in the rising demand for secondary macronutrients that support sustainable agriculture.
Segmental Insights
Nutrient Insights
Based on the nutrient, the calcium segment emerged as the dominant segment in the global market for secondary macronutrients in 2023. Calcium plays a crucial role in plant growth by providing structural support to cell walls. Additionally, it acts as a secondary messenger in response to physical or biochemical stress experienced by plants. In Mississippi soils, calcium deficiencies are rare, especially in soils with favorable pH levels. However, acid soils with calcium contents of 500 pounds per acre or less may be deficient in calcium, particularly for legumes such as peanuts, alfalfa, clovers, and soybeans.
At this level of deficiency, even limited root system crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits may require additional calcium. Peanuts, in particular, benefit from soluble calcium during pegging time, while peppers and tomatoes rely on it to prevent blossom end rot. It's important to note that found at calcium can be lost from the soil through various means, including dissolution and removal in drainage water, uptake by plants, absorption by soil organisms, leaching in rainwater, or absorption by clay particles.
Regional Insights
Asia Pacific emerged as the dominant region in the Global Secondary Macronutrients Market in 2023, holding the largest market share in terms of value. Countries such as India and China play a significant role in the agricultural landscape of the Asia Pacific region. They are major producers of key crops including rice, sugar beet, fruits & vegetables, cereals, and grains. It is noteworthy that the region itself consumes a staggering 90% of the global rice production.
In addition, the demand for the Secondary Macronutrients market in Asia Pacific is substantial. This is primarily driven by the direct use of micronutrients to address plant deficiencies, often through spraying in combination or as additives. Micronutrients are crucial elements that are required by plants in small quantities. While crop uptake of micronutrients is typically less than one pound per acre, their availability is essential for critical plant functions. In the absence of sufficient micronutrients, plants may exhibit abnormalities, experience reduced growth, and ultimately yield lower harvests.
Recent Development
In
January 2023, K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany) completed the acquisition of 75%
of the agricultural input business of Industrial Commodities Holdings (Pty) Ltd
(South Africa). This strategic move broadened K+S's presence in the South
African market and reinforced its standing in the secondary macronutrients
sector.
Key Market Players
- Nutrien
Ltd
- Yara
International ASA
- The
Mosaic Company
- Israel
Chemicals Ltd
- K+S Aktiengesellschaft AG
- Nufarm
Ltd
- Southern
Petrochemical Industries Corp Ltd
- Koch
Industries Inc
- Coromandel
International Ltd
- Deepak
Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd
By Nutrient
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By Crop Type
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By Region
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- Cereals And Grains
- Oilseeds And
Pulses
- Fruits And
Vegetables
- Others
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- North
America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- South
America
- Middle East
& Africa
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