Controlled Release Fertilizer Market Report 2026

The controlled release fertilizer market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.66 billion in 2025 to $4.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in agricultural productivity needs, expansion of commercial farming, rising awareness of nutrient loss reduction, increasing use of specialty fertilizers, availability of coated fertilizer technologies.

The controlled release fertilizer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.79 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable agriculture practices, rising adoption of precision farming, expansion of horticulture and turf management, growing focus on reducing fertilizer runoff, increasing integration of smart farming solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of precision nutrient management, rising demand for polymer-coated fertilizers, growing use in high-value crops, expansion of controlled nutrient release technologies, enhanced focus on soil health and efficiency.

The increasing adoption of modern agriculture practices is significantly driving the growth of the controlled-release fertilizer market. Modern agriculture is an evolving approach to agricultural innovations and farming techniques that help farmers improve efficiency while reducing the natural resources required to meet global food, fuel, and fiber demands, such as water, land, and energy. Controlled-release fertilizers support precision fertilizer application using the 4-R principles - applying the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the right stage of growth. For instance, in January 2024, according to the Government Accountability Office, a US-based non-partisan government agency, in 2023, approximately 27% of U.S. farms and ranches adopted precision agriculture practices to manage their crops or livestock. Hence, the increasing adoption of modern agriculture practices is expected to drive the growth of the controlled-release fertilizer market going forward.

Major companies operating in the controlled-release fertilizer sector are focused on strategic investment, such as production facilities, to strengthen their position. A controlled-release fertilizer production facility refers to a specialized manufacturing plant that produces fertilizers designed to release nutrients gradually over time, optimizing their availability for plant uptake and minimizing environmental impact. For instance, in September 2023, Sollio Agriculture, a Canada-based agribusiness, opened CRF Agritech, a new controlled-release fertilizer production facility in St. Thomas, Ontario. Spanning 25,800 square feet, the plant represents an investment of over C$25 million and will produce next-generation controlled-release fertilizers, including PurYield, for farmers in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. Additionally, it will have the capability to manufacture other coated fertilizers for non-agricultural applications. When operating at full capacity, the facility is expected to produce over 100,000 tons annually.

In September 2023, Profile Products, an US-based manufacturing company, partnered with JCAM Agri. Co., Ltd. The aim of the partnership was to broaden the distribution of nutricote-controlled release fertilizers throughout all 50 states in the U.S. JCAM Agri. Co., Ltd. is a South Korea-based manufacturing company that specializes in producing agricultural products, with a particular emphasis on controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs).

Major companies operating in the controlled release fertilizer market are Yara International ASA, Kingenta, Nutrien Ltd, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A, Jcam Agri, Helena Chemical Company, Compo Expert GmbH, Haifa Group, China BlueChemical Ltd, CF Industries, Borealis, Fertilore, HELM IBÉRICA SA, ADOB, PhosAgro, Acron, Yara Canada Inc, The Mosaic Company, Verdesian, Koch Fertilizer, ScottsMiracle-Gro, K+S Potash Canada, ArrMaz, Agrium U.S. Inc, Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL), Qatar Fertilizer Co (QAFCO), Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited, Dangote Fertilizer.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the controlled release fertilizer market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the controlled release fertilizer market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the controlled release fertilizer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The controlled release fertilizer market consists of sales of controlled-release fertilizer products such as urea formaldehyde and crotonylidenediurea. 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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