Starter Fertilizers Market Report 2025

The starter fertilizers market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $8.09 billion in 2024 to $8.41 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to crop yield improvement goals, efforts to reduce environmental impact, focus on sustainable agriculture, expansion of commercial farming practices, government support and subsidies.

The starter fertilizers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.51 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for specialty crops, bio-based and organic starter fertilizer solutions, climate change adaptation strategies, increased focus on nutrient use efficiency, adoption of liquid starter fertilizers. Major trends in the forecast period include customized formulations for crops, use of controlled-release technologies, integration of biostimulants, emphasis on seed coating technologies, digital solutions for nutrient management.

The increasing demand for food is expected to propel the growth of the starter fertilizers market in the future. Starter fertilizers are applied to crops because they enhance the development of emerging seedlings by providing essential nutrients in accessible locations near the roots. This increases nutrient uptake efficiency, reduces nutrient losses to the environment, and improves the overall health and vigor of crops, thereby boosting food productivity. For example, in October 2024, the World Bank Group, a US-based international trade and development organization, projected that the global population will reach 10 billion by 2050. This population growth will require a 60% increase in food production to meet rising demand while addressing the challenges posed by accelerating climate change. Therefore, the growing demand for food drives the starter fertilizers market.

The anticipated growth in the starter fertilizers market is expected to be propelled by increasing government initiatives for the agricultural sector. Government initiatives, encompassing actions, policies, or programs, are designed and implemented to address specific issues or achieve particular goals within society. Such initiatives, when directed towards agriculture, create a favorable environment for the expansion of the starter fertilizers market by influencing demand, fostering innovation, and encouraging the adoption of modern farming practices. As of 2023, the USDA Science and Research Strategy, titled "Cultivating Scientific Innovation," outlines the highest scientific priorities for transforming U.S. agriculture through science and innovation. The plan aims to increase agricultural production by 40% while halving the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture by 2050. Therefore, the increasing government initiatives for the agricultural sector are a driving factor for the growth of the starter fertilizers market.

Product innovation emerges as a prominent trend in the starter fertilizers market, with major companies directing their efforts toward developing inventive products to fortify their positions and gain a competitive edge. A notable example is Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, a US-based fertilizer manufacturer, which introduced NeoVita™ 43, a novel crop biostimulant, in January 2023. This innovative biostimulant enhances corn yields by improving nutrient use efficiency. Extensive trials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign demonstrated that NeoVita™ 43, when combined with liquid starter fertilizer, increased maize yields by up to seven bushels per acre. Engineered to mimic plant root exudates, NeoVita™ 43 stimulates soil microbial activity, promoting nutrient availability and uptake by plants. The early provision of essential nutrients to the soil microbiome at the beginning of the growth season results in stronger plant starts and higher yields.

Major companies in the starter fertilizers market are focusing on high-solubility fertilizers to enhance nutrient absorption, boost crop yields, and promote sustainable agriculture by optimizing nutrient delivery. High-solubility fertilizers dissolve quickly in water, allowing plants to absorb nutrients efficiently, reducing waste, and enabling precise application for improved crop performance. For example, in June 2023, ICL Group, an Israel-based company, launched a new line of water-soluble micronutrient and N-P-K fertilizers in North America under the Nova brand. This line includes products like Nova FINISH, Nova PULSE, Nova ELEVATE, and Nova FLOW, which are designed for foliar application and fertigation. These fertilizers are formulated for maximum solubility, ensuring rapid dissolution and precise nutrient delivery. They are compatible with most herbicides and crop protectants, providing versatility for various agricultural needs. ICL's water-soluble fertilizers offer high-purity N-P-K along with essential micronutrients, tailored to the specific requirements of different crops to promote plant health and development.

In June 2024, Interoceanic Corp (IOC), a US-based chemical manufacturing company, acquired Bonus Crop Fertilizer (BCF) Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is anticipated to enhance IOC's distribution and production capabilities, improving operational efficiency and expanding its market presence in the fertilizer industry. Bonus Crop Fertilizer (BCF) is a US-based company that specializes in producing premium fertilizers for professional growers, focusing on the turf, ornamental, and consumer markets.

Major companies operating in the starter fertilizers market include Yara International ASA, Miller Seed Company, Alpine Plant Foods Corporation, Conklin Company Partners Inc., The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Stoller USA Inc., Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, Bayer AG, BASF SE, Compass Minerals International Inc., Syngenta Crop Protection AG, ADAMA Ltd., Sumitomo Chemicals Co. Ltd., Nufarm limited, UPL Limited, K+S AG, ICL Group Ltd., Agrium Inc., EC Grow Inc., Nutrien Ltd., CF Industries Holdings Inc., The Mosaic Company, Haifa Chemicals Ltd., EuroChem Group AG, Israel Chemicals Ltd., Wilbur-Ellis Holdings Inc., Coromandel International Limited, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, KeyPlex LLC, Nachurs Alpine Solutions, Kellogg Garden Products.

North America was the largest region in the starter fertilizers market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global starter fertilizers market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the starter fertilizers market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the starter fertilizers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Starter fertilizers are specialized fertilizers applied in close proximity to seeds to supply essential nutrients for the initial growth of seedlings. These fertilizers are typically of high quality, containing the vital nutrients crucial for seedling development. They offer several advantages for crops, including optimizing crop yield potential, fostering early growth, and enhancing the uniformity of plant stands.

The primary categories of starter fertilizers encompass synthetic and organic variants. Organic starter fertilizers are designed to deliver readily available nutrients to seedlings and are applied in proximity to the seeds. These fertilizers are found in dry and liquid forms, containing various nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. They find application across diverse crops, including cereals, fruits and vegetables, forage, and turf grasses, and are utilized through methods such as in-furrow application, fertigation, foliar application, and others.

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The started fertilizers market consists of sales of starter fertilizers with potassium chloride, zInc., boron, and ammonium nitrate nutrients. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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