Italy Foliar Fertilizer Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Mix Nutrients, Alage-based, Humic Acid-based), By Crop Type (Horticultural Openfield, Turf & Ornamental), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The Italy foliar fertilizer market size was estimated at USD 97.02 million in 2021 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2022 to 2030. The rising awareness regarding crop protection to achieve better yield in Italy is expected to boost the product demand for fertilizers that highly emphasize crop yield, as a primary tool in agricultural production is a key factor driving the industry growth. In addition, the rising consumption of fertilizers for effective and increased agricultural productivity is anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period. The growing usage of biostimulants, biopesticides, and biofertilizers to improve crop growth has resulted in high demand for the product in Europe.

A major factor contributing to the market growth has been a rise in distribution channels. These products are being increasingly supplied through wholesalers and retailers. The agro service providers are expected to be important channels for propelling the industry growth. The supply chain plays a significant role in the production and transportation of fertilizers. The growth of the industry is highly dependent on the adoption of efficient supply chains. Industry participants are facing various problems concerning production, logistics, and operations. Increasing innovations in the agriculture industry, such as nutrient management practices, new crop varieties, farm machinery, and novel agricultural practices, have contributed significantly to the increasing product demand and the transformation of Italy’s agriculture sector. Foliar fertilizers can be produced using organic as well as synthetic raw materials. Product sales mainly depend on the producer’s ability to bring diverse products to the industry and distribute them through large-scale supermarkets or retailers.

Unfortunately, Italy was first the country, which faced the COVID-19 crises in the European region. Lack of labor, slower transportation, an operational shutdown of agro-chemical, as well as fertilizer manufacturing plants, created a huge demand-supply gap in the country. However, stockpiling of goods and a favorable initiative by the country’s government to incorporate fertilizer products in the essential category have helped maintain market stability.

Product Type Insights

The mix of nutrients segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share of more than 52.7% in 2021. The high share is attributed to the growing utilization of a mix of nutrients for several horticulture applications. The products available in the market are composed of micro and macronutrients that can be delivered individually or in a set of two or more than two nutrients. Macronutrients are needed for plant development, the most important being Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), and Nitrogen (N) among others. Increasing demand for nitrogenous fertilizers from several farms in Italy due to their characteristics to increase yield for any crop type is projected to boost the market growth over the forecast period. Algae extracts are composite products, encompassing brassinosteroids, plant hormones, polyamines, betaines, polymers as well as micro and macronutrients.

The growing utilization of these fertilizers for various applications including stimulation of photosynthesis, activation of natural defenses, development of the root system, augmented resistance to water and thermal stress, increase in the seeds protein rate, enhanced assimilation of trace elements, and delay in cell senescence, among others is estimated to trigger the product demand in the near future. Humic acid-based foliar fertilizers are widely used to promote growth in several types of plant species. When the cell membranes turn out to be more permeable, the nutrients can easily pass through the plant. Humic acids are significant for increasing the plants' cell wall permeability, which can further drive the demand for these types of fertilizers in crop production.

Crop Type Insights

The horticultural open-field crop type segment dominated the market with a revenue share of more than 38.00% in 2021. The high share is attributed to the extensive usage of foliar fertilizers for leaf feeding. The open-field horticultural sector incorporates an extensive range of crops including vegetable crops, fruit crops, aromatic & medicinal crops, tuber crops, and spices. Considering the growth in soil complications, the product demand is high among growers as this product acts as an alternative to plant nutrients. Field crops, such as cereals, grains, fruits, and vegetables, are considered under this segment. The trend of fruit consumption, especially exotic ones, has witnessed high growth in the last decade.

The increasing exports of edible fruits, nuts, and vegetables from Italy, specifically to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and other countries globally, have led to an increase in plant cultivation and production across the country. The rising product demand due to its several benefits is driving the turf and ornaments application segment. It suppresses and controls foliar and soil-borne pathogens, delivers a wide array of trace elements and micronutrients to rapidly correct micronutrient deficiencies for optimum turf growth and supports turf’s natural defenses with organic supplements, delivers speedier uptake of nutrients through the foliar application, and prevents alkaline hydrolysis as well as optimizes pesticide application. The aforementioned factors are thus expected to trigger the industry demand in the country over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key manufacturers including Haifa Negev technologies Ltd., ICL, and others are investing in R&D for developing new technology and tailored products. Retail stores have a competitive advantage, in terms of proximity to end customers along with an extremely loyal customer base. Retail sales growth has become a major factor in product growth. The direct display and accessibility of products in retail stores is anticipated to attract customers and offer convenience to purchase these products. This convenience is estimated to enhance the sales of such products over the forecast period. Some prominent players in the Italy foliar fertilizer market include:

• ICL

• Timac Agro

• Akzo Nobel N.V.

• E D & F Man Holdings Limited

• PAVONI & C SPA

• Arpa Speciali S.r.l

• Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile (SQM S.A.)

• Valagro

• Trade Corporation International

• Biolchim SPA

• EuroChem

• URALCHEM JSC

• K+S Aktiengesellschaft

• Haifa Negev technologies Ltd.

• COMPO EXPERT

• MUGAVERO

• Hydro Fert

Italy Foliar Fertilizer Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Italy foliar fertilizer market report based on product type and crop type:

• Product Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2018 - 2030)

  • Algae-based

  • Humic Acid-based

  • Mix of Nutrients

  • Other Bio-stimulant

  • Single Nutrient Foliar Fertilizer

• Crop Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Thousand, 2018 - 2030)

  • Horticulture Openfield

  • Horticulture Greenhouse

  • Field Crops

  • Turf & Ornamental

  • Others