North Africa Sulphur Fertilizers Market size is forecast to reach $150 million by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 3.5% during 2020-2025. Sulphur fertilizers market is driven by the need to increase the efficiency as well as yield of crops. Growing population combined with decreasing landmass for crop production is impelling the farmers to increase their yields, which in turn drives the growth of sulphur fertilizer market share in North Africa region. Additionally, government and African Development bank’s Feed Africa strategy (2016-2025) to enhance the crop production is also contribute to the growth of this market during forecast period. However, the impact of these chemicals on human health and environment acts as a restraint for the growth of market.
Key Takeaways
- Decrease in cropland due the availability of dry, sandy and low fertile desert soil in northern parts such as Egypt, Algeria etc. is escalating the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market.
- Rising popularity of organic farming and bio pesticides hinders the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market.
- Lockdown and increasing cases of COVID-19 has created major problems for fertilizer manufacturers, subsequently impacting the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market.
By Type - Segment Analysis
Sulphate fertilizers segment holds the largest share of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market and is projected to grow with x% between2020-2025. The ability of sulphate fertilizers to supply sulphur as a multi nutrient component that can be immediately available for plant uptake is driving the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market. Sulphur helps in formation of plant proteins and it is as necessary as phosphorus and nitrogen. Besides, they also activates the enzymes which helps in biochemical reactions within the plant and increases crop yield. Fertilizers consumption of Middle East and North Africa was 94.77 kg per hectare in 2016. According to International Fertilizers Association (IFA), urea supply is estimated at 200 Mt globally in 2021, growing at 1.6% p.a. over 2016 and Latin America, South Asia and Africa would contribute to the bulk of the global incremental demand. Thus, increase in sulphur coated urea demand also augments the growth of North African sulphur fertilizers market.
By Solubility - Segment Analysis
Based on the solubility, soluble sulphur fertilizers hold the largest share of North Africa sulphur fertilizer market in 2019 due to their ability to dissolve in water, the uptake efficiency of soluble sulphur fertilizers is better than insoluble elemental sulphur fertilizers. Soluble sulphur fertilizer easily breakdown into particles smaller than 150 microns in water and convert more quickly into sulphate, since smaller particles provide sufficient area for microbes to act on. North Africa’s major crops include maize, rice and wheat. Large amount of resources are spent in importing the food. Egypt imported maize of value $1,847,289 in 2018. In order to lower the outflow of money, government subsidies the seeds, fertilizers and irrigation facilities to encourage the farmers for better crop productivity, subsequently increasing the growth of sulphur fertilizers market in North Africa.
By Application - Segment Analysis
Based on the application, oilseed and pulses segment holds the largest share of more than 25% in the North Africa sulphur fertilizer market in 2019. Pulses and oilseeds require greater amount of sulphur as compared to other crops. Nitrogen to sulphur ratio required by oilseed is 5:1 whereas cereals requirement is 10:1. According to The United States Department of Agriculture, total grains and oilseeds production in Egypt is expected to be 21,950 thousand metric tons in 2024. Thus, increase in production of oilseeds will escalate the use of sulphur fertilizers in Egypt, subsequently augments the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market.
Coronavirus has badly impacted the sulphur fertilizer industry. Due to the lockdown, industries are being shuttered all around the world. On March 24, COVID-19 confirmed cases reached to 33,805 in Africa. Fear of getting coronavirus has led the people to stay at home. The International Fertilizer Development Center (IDFC) has estimated that the fertilizer consumption could fall as much as 20% y-o-y due to COVID-19. Thus, decrease in production, and postponing of deals has hampered the growth of North Africa fertilizers market.
By Geography - Segment Analysis
Egypt has dominated the North Africa sulphur fertilizers market with a share of more than 25% in 2019 followed by Morocco. Total population in Egypt reached to 98.42 Million in 2018. Thus, the growth in population with increase in food requirements has pressured the farmers to use fertilizers for good quality products. Value added in agriculture sector as percent of GDP for Egypt was 11.23 in 2018 and total export of oilseeds by Egypt was valued $ 296,349 in 2018. Increase in production of oilseeds increases the use of sulphur fertilizers substantially aiding the growth of this market in Egypt. Also, according to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, total land area of Egypt in 2016 was 9,945 thousand hectares and agricultural area was only 3733.77 thousand hectares. Thus, decrease in agricultural land and extreme climatic condition of Egypt and lack of sulphur salts in the soil has propelled the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market size.
Drivers – North Africa Sulphur Fertilizers Market
- Increasing demands and low cultivation landmass
Almost half of the Northern Africa is covered with deserts. Extreme climatic conditions of North Africa results in failure of crops. The need to increase the efficiency and yield of crops in order to meet the demands of growing population is driving the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market. Total agricultural land in Middle East and North Africa was estimated to be 3.737 million sq. km only in 2016 and population total population rose to 448.912 million in 2018. Thus, scarcity of arable landmass with good fertility and nutrient enriched soil has increased the use sulphur fertilizers in North Africa.
- Peculiar properties of sulphur fertilizers and Government Support
Sulphur fertilizers increases the concentration of sulphate ions in the soil which is then absorbed by the plants for the biochemical reactions to improve the quality and increase the crop yield. Deficiency of sulphur results in pre-maturation and yellowing of leaves and also limits the height of the crop. Sulphur also helps in formation of chlorophyll and hence considered as one of the important nutrients for plants. Moreover, government and organization programs such as SFOAP (Support to Farmers’ Organizations in Africa Programme) and the $350-million Enable Youth Program of African Development Bank which aims to empower youth in agribusiness development, also augments the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market.
Challenges – North Africa Sulphur Fertilizers Market
- Harmful effects and rising popularity of organic farming
Although the sulphur fertilizers market is growing day by day but their harmful effects on human health and environment is the main concern. Excessive use of fertilizers increases the toxicity level of soil and contaminate the underground water which in turn affect the human health causing serious diseases like cancer, liver or kidney failure. Moreover, the demand for organic foods is increasing rapidly enhancing the consumption of bio pesticides. According to International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Africa has almost 2.1 million hectares of organic agricultural land with an increase of 14% in 2017. Thus, the ecofriendly nature with less human effect is boosting the bio pesticide market and hinders the growth of North Africa sulphur fertilizers industry during the forecast period.
Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the North Africa sulphur fertilizers market report. In 2019, the market of North Africa sulphur fertilizers top 10 players accounting for xx% of the North Africa sulphur fertilizers market share. Major companies of North Africa sulphur fertilizers market are Jordan Sulphur, Evergrow, Nitron Group Corporation, Tessenderlo Group, OCI Nitrogen, EL-DAWLIA, Meditfert, Sesoda, Trammo, YARA International ASA, Israel Chemicals Ltd, OCP Group, among others.
Acquisition/ launches
- In November 2019, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and OCP GROUP has signed an agreement with Fertinagro Biotech to develop sustainable R&D solutions for agriculture. The agreement will help in developing Morocco’s frontline position in R&D and boosting skills training for the future of Africa.
- In September 2019, The African Union Commission, African Union’s Development Agency, AUDA-NEPAD, and OCP Group, have partnered to support the development of the African agricultural Sector through the signature of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
