Ever wondered who’s making the world greener? In 2024, the size of the global fertilizers market is estimated at USD 384.37 billion. Interestingly, these fertilizer companies are essential to feeding the world’s expanding population.
However, who are the best competitors in this game? This blog will discover the unique strengths and contributions of each company, from industry giants like Nutrien to innovative players like CF Industries.
We’ll explore the world’s top 10 fertilizer companies in 2024, based on their revenue. Let’s begin!
1. Nutrien
- Headquarters: Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Founders: PotashCorp and Agrium
- Founded: 2018
- Revenue: $29.05 billion
Nutrien is a leading provider of crop services and inputs, helping to safely and sustainably feed a growing world. They operate a world-class network of distribution, production, and AG retail facilities to serve the needs of growers.
Furthermore, the company operates a network of more than 2,000 retail stores across seven nations. They also provide customers with complete agriculture solutions including nutrients, seeds, crop protection products, services, and more.
Importantly, they manufacture and provide around 25 million tons of phosphate, potash, and nitrogen products to feed, industrial, and agricultural clients globally. Beyond that, Nutrien provides an agriculture retail network that services approximately 500,000 grower accounts worldwide.
2. Wesfarmers
- Headquarters: Perth, Australia
- Founder: Walter Harper
- Founded: 1914
- Revenue: $28.74 billion
Wesfarmers is one of Australia’s largest fertilizer companies. They have approximately 120,000 team members and are owned by approximately 505,000 shareholders. However, the primary objective of Wesfarmers is to provide a satisfactory return to its shareholders.
Unlike many other fertilizer companies, it operates in various sectors including retail, fertilizers, chemicals, industrial and safety products. They also provide general merchandise and apparel, office and technology products, and more.
Above all, they have introduced its Blackwoods sector of operations to stand as a single source supplier for all things inventory-related. Consequently, they ranked as the largest Australian distributor of industrial, engineering, and safety workplace needs.
3. The Mosaic Company
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, United States
- Founders: IMC Global Inc. and Cargill
- Founded: 2004
- Revenue: $12.77 billion
The Mosaic Company is the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash, among fertilizer companies. They have approximately 10.4 million tonnes of operational potash capacity.
Interestingly, it is the only company to produce and deliver two vital crop nutrients, potash, and phosphate, on a massive scale. Besides that, the company owns potash mines or surface mills at various locations including Belle Plaine, Colonsay, and Carlsbad.
Additionally, the company is committed to maximizing efficiencies and minimizing its environmental footprint. These services help Mosaic fulfill its mission of helping the world grow the food it needs. Moreover, they also ship their products via rail, barge, and ocean-going vessels.
4. Israel Chemicals
- Headquarters: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Founders: The Government of the State of Israel
- Founded: 1968
- Revenue: $7.48 billion
As a leading entity among fertilizer companies, Israel Chemicals known as ICL Group, produces approximately one-third of the world’s bromine and is the sixth-largest potash producer. The company is a leading provider of pure phosphoric acid.
Besides that, ICL uses the Dead Sea’s unique minerals to produce a range of essential products for agriculture, food safety, and industrial applications. Moreover, this combination of mineral expertise and product development sets them apart from other chemical companies.
The company also produces bromine, a mineral with fire-retardant properties. In addition, they make flame retardants, water treatment solutions, and even ingredients for food and cleaning products.
5. CF Industries
- Headquarters: Deerfield, Illinois, US
- Founder: Federation of regional agricultural supply cooperatives
- Founded:1946
- Revenue: $6.08 billion
The company is the world’s largest producer of ammonia with an average annual capacity of 10.5 million tons. The main product of the company is anhydrous ammonia, or NH3, which is primarily made up of 18% hydrogen and 82% nitrogen.
Recently, a cooperative development agreement was established by CF Industries and JERA to investigate the creation of greenfield low-carbon ammonia manufacturing capacity in the US. The company published its 2023 sustainability reporting materials as well.
Furthermore, they manufacture nitrogen and hydrogen products for clean energy, emissions abatement, fertilizer, and other industrial applications. On May 1, 2024, CF Industries reported $194 million in net earnings for the first quarter of 2024, along with $459 million in adjusted EBITDA.
6. OCI
- Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
- Founder: Lee Hoi-rim
- Founded:1959
- Revenue: $4.30 billion
Oriental Chemical Industries (OCI), one of the creative fertilizer companies, is known for its soda ash production, a key ingredient in glass and detergents, which jumpstarted South Korea’s chemical industry. Moreover, the company can produce 16.2 million metric tons annually, which is spread over four continents.
OCI is a major supplier of everyday essentials like fertilizers. However, they’re also pushing boundaries in areas like semiconductors, vital electronics, and lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles.
Importantly, the company is committed to a “cleaner future.” Consequently, they’re developing lower-carbon ammonia for fertilizers and exploring sustainable practices throughout their operations.
7. National Fertilizers
- Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Founders: Government of India & Manoj Mishra
- Founded: 1974
- Revenue: $2.97 bilion
National Fertilizers produce especially neem-coated urea. Neem is a natural insect repellent, and this coating helps protect the fertilizer from pests, ensuring farmers get more out of each bag. Furthermore, the company has recorded its best-ever operational performance by producing 3.935 million urea with an overall capacity.
NFL also offers bio-fertilizers, which are good for the soil and eco-friendly. They even produce other industrial products like ammonia and nitric acid. Moreover, they’re the first company in India allowed to make and sell this special urea.
Being a large government-run company, NFL is a one-stop shop for farmers’ fertilizer needs. They also offer innovative eco-friendly bio-fertilizers, and other important industrial products worldwide.
8. Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company
- Headquarters: Jubail, Saudi Arabia
- Founders: The Government and the citizens of Saudi Arabia
- Founded: 1965
- Revenue: $2.94 billion
Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) has an annual production capacity of about 4.9 million tons of fertilizer, making it one of the world’s largest chemical producers. The company also plays an important role in Kickstarting the country’s chemical industry.
Moreover, SAFCO is well-known for its ammonia, urea, melamine, and sulfuric acid production. The company can produce over 2.6 million tons of urea and 2.3 million tons of ammonia annually. Besides that, they focus on fertilizers that contribute to global food security by providing essential nutrients for crops.
Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) owns 50.1% of the company, with 49.9% being held by the private sector and the public. However, another source mentions that SABIC owns 42.99% with 57.01% being held by the private sector and the public.
9. Coromandel
- Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Founders: IMC, Chevron Companies, and EID Parry
- Founded: Early 1960s
- Revenue: $2.66 billion
Coromandel offers various products, from essential fertilizers to crop protection chemicals. They specialize in micronutrient mixes and even organic fertilizers. Besides, the company’s production capacity is 2.3 million tonnes of Complex Fertilizers, 0.8 million tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and 132 thousand tonnes of Single Superphosphate (SSP).
Recently, they have developed new types of fertilizers, like those based on nanotechnology, and are investing in drone technology to help farmers apply products more precisely. Consequently, this combination of products sets them apart from competitors.
As one of the fertilizer companies, Coromandel is a full-service supporter of Indian agriculture, offering a diverse range of solutions and actively seeking new ways to improve farming practices.
10. Chambal Fertilisers
- Headquarters: Kota, Rajasthan, India
- Founders: Dr. K.K. Birla
- Founded: 1985
- Revenue: $2.29 billion
The largest urea producer in the private sector is Chambal Fertilizers, with 1.5 million tonnes of installed capacity annually. Chambal Fertilizers makes a strong case for itself in a couple of ways.
Firstly, they offer a wide range of products, including essential fertilizers, crop protection products like insecticides, and even seeds. Secondly, Chambal Fertilizers has a strong presence in India.
Furthermore, they cater to a large portion of the country and are the leading fertilizer supplier in Rajasthan. Thus, they stand among the fertilizer companies, overall focus on convenience and accessibility for Indian farmers.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, we explored how the fertilizer industry plays a vital role in global food security. Each company brings something unique to the table on sustainable practices. Moreover, the fertilizer companies have a critical role to play, and the solutions they develop will influence how we feed the future.
In addition, the size of the global fertilizers market is expected to reach USD 543.20 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth CAGR of 5.93%. Besides that, the following are some lingering questions to ponder:
- With growing concerns about climate change, how can fertilizer companies further reduce their environmental footprint?
- Will future advancements focus on more targeted nutrient delivery or alternative fertilizers altogether?
Above all, you are the source of the solution. Thanks for reading!
