TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GLOBAL FOLIAR FERTILIZER MARKET

The dynamics of global fertilizers’ consumption each year reflects new trends and patterns. What trends have become the main ones in 2024? We will discuss this in this article with the experts of WONDER LLC.

The Future Is Now: Trends in Fertilizer Application

?The modern farmer are changing their attitude to the use of fertilizers: they are delving into the issue of creating the right conditions for cultivation, optimizing direct and indirect business costs, and automating processes through RTK or robotics technologies. In terms of the issue of fertilizer use, we have identified 5 key trends.

IoT tools as assistants

IoT (Internet of Things) is a term for devices and applications that connect to the Internet and can collect and share data. In agriculture, IoT tools can be used to monitor crop health, irrigation needs, and fertilizer application rates. They can also be used to automate tasks, such as greenhouse controls and drone-based crop spraying.

Application of aerial photographs

This trend helps to maintain growing conditions in large areas, to “cure” diseased plants on a point-by-point basis, without spending money on feeding healthy ones. By taking pictures from the air, farmers can quickly and accurately assess crop health and identify areas that need attention. This information can be used to target fertilizer applications and other interventions, such as spraying for pests or diseases.

Planned approach in applying nutrients

Today, even small agricultural companies are increasingly using soil analysis. Based on the results, they determine the deficit and surplus of nutrients. Analysis of the current state of the site is an economically profitable and rational measure, as it helps to reduce direct costs for fertilizers, the elements of which are already contained in the soil.

“Smart fertilizers” with increased efficiency

Fertilizers are applied to the soil or substrate, evenly distributing over the surface, even at the stage when the plant is completely exhausted. You don’t need to do anything else – the smart nutrition formula will work for you from 3 to 8 months. Such fertilizers care not only about plants, but also about the environment – even though they contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, they do not deplete the pH of the soil even with long-term systematic application. Their main advantage is adaptability to growing conditions and the individual needs of individual crops. The composition is coated with a water-permeable film, through which macro- and microelements are released dosed and gradually.

Correction of element deficiency mainly through foliar nutrition.

This method provides proper nutrition and supports the physiological characteristics of crops during critical growth periods. When comparing the dosage of foliar and root fertilizers, the former are more economical. Typically, they are recommended to be used at a rate of 0.5–2% fertilizer by the weight of water (5–20 grams of fertilizer per 1 litre of water) or 0.5–1.5 litres per 1 hectare. We suggest taking a closer look at the dynamics of the production and consumption of modern foliar fertilizers.

Global fertilizer market: production and consumption dynamics

The global market for foliar fertilizers was valued at $20.18 billion in early 2024 and is projected to grow to $28.59 billion by 2030. The largest segment by type is nitrogen fertilizers, which are preferred by farmers around the world due to their lower toxicity and environmental impact.

The use of foliar fertilizers is increasing in volume due to their ease of application (via foliar spray methods), which have better nutrient absorption efficiency. In addition, foliar fertilizers can be used to deliver nutrients to plants that are not easily absorbed by the roots, such as when the soil temperature is low. Foliar feeding is also necessary when inter-row cultivation is not possible, typically when the crop has reached a height that makes cultivation and fertilization difficult. The pie chart below shows the average global consumption shares of foliar fertilizers by crop type.

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Global data varies by region. For example, in North America, the largest segment is fertilizers for lawn and ornamental plants. This is not surprising, as lawn grass covers 5 million hectares of land in the United States, including stadiums, squares, and parks.

It is expected that global consumption of foliar fertilizers in the corresponding crop types will grow proportionally over the analysis period.

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Liquid and crystalline foliar fertilizers by the WONDER LLC manufacturer?

WONDER fertilizers guarantee excellent plant growth even in critical periods, under the influence of negative environmental and climatic conditions. For production, we use only high-quality raw materials that form the basis of unique action formulas.

Certified foliar fertilizers are available in two forms: liquid and crystalline water-soluble. Let’s consider the range of foliar fertilizers for different cultures and needs.

Wonder Leaf Amino 43

This fertilizer increases the level of zygotic potential (pollen grain fertility), which maximizes effective pollination and increases yield in grapes, vegetables, and fruit crops. The name reflects the composition – 43% of plant-based amino acids and 8.5% of organic nitrogen, which enhances the absorption function, helps plants to recover quickly after exposure to stress factors.

We recommend using it as part of a tank mix in a specified ratio: 0.5-1 l/ha.

Wonder Leaf Mono Zn 8

The formula of this liquid mineral fertilizer is saturated with zinc, which enhances protective functions, protein synthesis, starch, and carbohydrates. With zinc deficiency, membrane permeability is impaired, plants become weak against bacterial and fungal pathogens. This microelement is of particular importance in fertilizers for corn, namely: it helps to increase the crop’s immunity, resistance to frost and prolonged droughts, and improves the quality of grain.

We recommend using it as part of a tank mix in a volume of 1 l/ha.

Wonder Leaf Yellow

This fast-soluble fertilizer is produced in crystalline form, which is saturated with the necessary macro- and micronutrients in highly absorbable chelates.

We recommend using it as part of a tank mix at a dosage of 2-4 kg/ha.

You can view other available fertilizers at the link.

We hope this article will help you to systematize the already-known information and create a logical, holistic picture of the trends in the development of the foliar fertilizer market.

We also remind you that the positive results of using foliar fertilizers meet expectations if you follow the advice of expert agronomists.

Have any questions about the ordering process and fertilizer prices?

We will answer and provide recommendations for placing orders, and share tips on the effective application of fertilizers to achieve high yields!

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