Aquaculture Fertilizer Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Source (Urea, Superphosphate, Potassium Chloride, Others), By Application (Seawater Aquaculture, Onshore Aquaculture), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The aquaculture fertilizer market is projected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 7.13% to grow to US$31.627 million by 2029 from US$19.529 million in 2022.

The aquaculture fertilizer can be natural or synthetic substances that are used in ponds to increase the production of the natural food organisms to be eaten by the fish. These organisms include phytoplankton, zooplankton, and insects. Fertilizers enhance the abundance of essential nutrients, fostering the growth of planktonic algae, a vital food source for numerous fish species.    

In aquaculture ponds, potassium fertilization is typically unnecessary, making nitrogen and phosphorus the key nutrients for promoting growth. It may include secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, which are commonly sourced from calcium and magnesium sulfates. Additionally, supplements of trace elements like iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, and others may also be incorporated into fertilizers.

The aquaculture fertilizer market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for aquaculture products, rising awareness about the importance of balanced nutrition in aquaculture systems, and the need for sustainable aquaculture practices. The European seaweed market is expanding, it is estimated to be $24.92 billion in 2028. The culinary uses of seaweed are limitless, ranging from chips and spreads to dried condiments and even alcoholic beverages.

During the fiscal year 2022-23, India attained record-breaking seafood exports in both volume and value, shipping 1,735,286 metric tons of seafood valued at US$ 8.09 billion. This achievement was made despite encountering numerous challenges in key export markets such as the USA.

Overall, the aquaculture fertilizer market presents a promising growth driven by the increasing demand for seafood and the need to optimize aquaculture production.

Market Drivers:

• Growing demand from the seaweed industry-

Seaweed farming stands out as the fastest-growing sector in aquaculture. However, the industry is still in its developmental phase. Seaweeds excel in efficiently absorbing carbon dioxide, utilizing it for growth. While eelgrass, mangroves, and salt marshes are recognized for their carbon storage capabilities, seaweeds surpass them in greenhouse gas absorption from water, considering their biomass. Moreover, seaweeds effectively absorb nitrogen and phosphorus, crucial for mitigating algal blooms that deplete oceanic oxygen upon decomposition.

The World Bank predicts the seaweed market to reach a size of USD 11.8 billion by 2030. Ten relatively new and emerging seaweed applications offer substantial market opportunities beyond the established sectors of agar, alginate, carrageenan, food, and aquaculture feed.

• Growing demand for fish and seafood-

Global population growth and increasing disposable income increase demand for fish and seafood.  Aquaculture, farming fish, and other aquatic organisms play a crucial role in meeting this demand. The U.S. Fish and Seafood Exports was $5.39 billion in 2022. In 2021, it was $5.27 billion. Aquaculture fertilizers enhance the productivity of aquaculture systems, allowing farmers to raise more fish sustainably.

• Awareness of balanced nutrition -

Awareness of balanced nutrition is one of the main reasons for the demand for fertilizers. Fertilizers support the development of planktonic algae, which is a fish food.  Furthermore, it facilitates the emergence of animals that consume algae, including certain fish species like the Chinese silver carp and the Nile tilapia. In freshwater ponds, the most needed nutrient is usually phosphorus. However, adding some nitrogen as well will obtain a better result. Fertilizer manufacturers are required to provide the grade of their product by including its N–P–K (nitrogen– phosphorus–potassium) value on the label.

Organic fertilizers, comprising a blend of organic material and mineral nutrients, which are locally produced, are often derived from sources such as farm animal waste or agricultural byproducts.

Market Restraint:

• Environmental concerns-

The knowledge gap and lack of proper training lead to the excessive use of fertilizers. This improper application can lead to environmental problems. Excessive usage of fertilizers causes deplete oxygen levels in the water, harm aquatic ecosystems, and ultimately lead to water quality degradation. Excessive fertilizer use and stringent regulatory norms pose potential restraints to market growth.

Aquaculture fertilizer market by application into seawater aquaculture and onshore aquaculture

The Aquaculture fertilizer market is segmented by application into seawater aquaculture and onshore aquaculture. Seawater aquaculture, also known as saltwater aquaculture, encompasses fertilizers tailored for the rearing and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, contributing significantly to seafood supply and bolstering commercial fisheries.

On the other hand, onshore aquaculture utilizes fertilizers in ponds, tanks, or raceways with fresh water. Each segment possesses distinct nutrient contents and concentrations to meet specific requirements.

North America is anticipated to hold a significant share of the aquaculture fertilizer market

North America is anticipated to hold a significant share of the aquaculture fertilizer market, Aquaculture fertilizers can play a role here by improving water quality and promoting healthy ecosystems within fish farms. The U.S. has a robust market for fish and seafood, production, and exports.

The US Total Export Value was $5.17 Billion in 2023, with a 3-Year Average of $5.28 Billion. The total volume of exports was 1 Metric Ton Millions.  The largest market for export was $1.04 Billion for China, $1.03 Billion for Canada, and for the European Union $1.03 Billion in 2023. North America presents a promising market for aquaculture fertilizers due to the large aquaculture sector.

Market Developments:

• March 2023-  The food and agriculture organization of the United Nations in Sri Lanka delivered 36,000 tonnes of triple super phosphate fertilizer to the Ministry of Agriculture for immediate distribution to all farmers throughout the nation thanks to funding from the United States Agency for International Development.
• April 2022- A Binding Agreement for 50,000tpa was signed with Gavilon Fertilizer, LLC, a prominent wholesale distributor of crop nutrients in the USA. Agrimin had then committed its minimum target of 70% of planned Sulphate of Potash (“SOP”) production under long-term binding offtakes to support project funding.

Company Products:

• Nitrogenous fertilizer products-  Sinofert Holdings Limited products offer a range of options in terms of grades and prices. Apart from the premium-grade urea, which contains 46% nitrogen and less than 0.9% biuret, certified urea with 42% nitrogen content and less than 1.2% biuret at an affordable price.
• Bolifor® Aqua- It comprises fine granules of feed-grade monocalcium phosphate, boasting a phosphorus content of 22.3%. Primarily designed for aquaculture feed, it comes highly recommended for this purpose.
• Calcomag.- This product contains 1000 ppm of Selenium as Se and 400 ppm of Cobalt as Co, along with 9.0% Calcium as Ca, 14.0% Magnesium as Mg, and 6.0% Potassium as K2O. It is available in a pack size of 50 kg.

Market Segmentation:

• By Source
  • Urea
  • Superphosphate
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Others
• By Application
  • Seawater Aquaculture
  • Onshore Aquaculture
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • UK
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others