Our ability to thrive and grow as a species is closely tied to farming as a community. In fact, the first civilizations were founded by people who gathered around rivers and other water sources to grow crops.
Since then, fertilizer manufacturers have benefited from our progress and have grown a lot in terms of size and value.
We looked at the top 100 fertilizer companies in the world and selected the most notable brands you should watch out for. Let’s get into it.
SABIC Agri-Nutrients
SABIC has a bold mission statement: to become the leading global company that operates in the agri-nutrient industry by 2025. And it doesn’t sound like an unrealistic goal for this Saudi Arabian fertilizer supplier.
The business was originally established in 1965 under the name Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company or SAFCO in short. Today, they produce a broad range of fertilizers, with a particular focus on nitrogen-based products, namely ammonia and urea.
Pros:
- SABIC boasts a comprehensive product portfolio, ranging from commodity to highly specialized fertilizers.
- The company is present in 64 locations and employs over 32,000 individuals in its worldwide network of operations.
Cons:
- Despite their solid financials, SABIC’s share price has dropped in the past three months.
- Even though their ROE surpasses the industry average, it still falls within a moderately low range.
ICL Group Ltd.
Ingenuity, care, and leadership are the three guiding principles of ICL Group. The company’s headquarters is in Tel Aviv, Israel, with representatives in over 40 countries and a workforce of approximately 12,000 employees.
Apart from being one of the biggest fertilizer companies in the world, ICL Group also operates in the fields of energy, industrial products, and health and personal care.
Pros:
- One of the leading manufacturers of potash and phosphates, including standard, granular, fine red and white potash, phosphate rock, and phosphoric acid.
- ICL has a strong research and development (R&D) team focused on creating innovative agricultural solutions.
- Mineral extraction in the Dead Sea gives the company a competitive edge with unparalleled infrastructure and port access.
Cons:
- The highly price-competitive market for potash may pressure ICL to continually reduce its product costs.
Vaki Chim
Vaki Chim’s success story is rooted in their dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Their portfolio consists of premium-quality gel, water-soluble, liquid, and organic fertilizers. Notably, the company’s premium brand, Grow Plant, is a prime example of its dedication to sustainable agricultural excellence.
Pros:
- Vaki Chim prides itself on using only the finest raw materials to create its specialty formulations.
- The Grow Plant fertilizers range is a preferred choice for many environmentally conscious farmers.
- You can find local distributors of Vaki Chim fertilizers in over 20 countries around the world.
- The Bulgarian team offers a full spectrum of services and is devoted to providing comprehensive customer support to clients and partners.
Cons:
- Some products may come at a slightly higher price point because of their superior quality.
Yara International
Very few of the entries on this list can compete with Yara International’s commitment to creating sustainable food value chains. It all started in 1905 when the business was founded as Norsk Hydro. Today, Yara International has become a leading producer of mineral nitrogen fertilizers, specifically urea and calcium ammonium nitrate.
Pros:
- One of the most sustainable agricultural fertilizer manufacturers. Yara’s ambition is to lead the industry into a nature-positive food future and it shows in their operations.
- Provides innovative digital tools to help farmers increase yields in an eco-friendly way.
- The company is known for being an inclusive and safe workplace with around 18,000 dedicated employees.
Cons:
- Several stakeholders have criticized the company over its significant greenhouse gas emissions. Critics argue that Yara’s long-term targets exclude emissions from its supply chain and product use, which account for a substantial portion of its footprint.
Coromandel International Limited
Coromandel’s winning strategy is simple: to cater to the entire farming value chain. Over the past century, the company has cemented its position as India’s largest private-sector phosphatic fertilizer manufacturer.
The business is part of the reputable conglomerate Murugappa Group, alongside other successful companies in engineering, finance, agriculture, and more.
Pros:
- Coromandel specializes in plant nutrition, crop protection, bio-pesticides, and more.
- One of the most prolific organic fertilizer manufacturers on this list.
- Coromandel has an extensive distribution network with over 750 rural retail outlets across India.
Cons:
- Coromandel’s fertilizer stocks may fluctuate due to the intense competition from other manufacturers based in India.
- Somewhat limited presence in other regions since most of the company’s operations are concentrated in southern India.
K+S AG
Miners in Germany started using potash deposits to make fertilizer for the first time in the 19th century. Their discovery sparked the inception of a business that would evolve into the esteemed K+S Group we know today.
”The customer is at the center of our actions.” This is K+S’s guiding principle and all of their business operations are based on this motto.
Pros:
- K+S is a multinational top fertilizer company that has about 11,000 employees and 50 production and distribution sites in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.
- One of the oldest and most established businesses on this list with over 130 years of experience in the industry.
- K+S mines raw materials and produces a selection of soil, fertigation, and foliar fertilizers, many of which are suitable for organic farming.
- Strong consumer focus in four business sectors: agriculture, industry, consumers, and communities.
Cons:
- Several of the largest fertilizer companies offer very similar products. Operational improvements and cost-reduction initiatives are needed if K+S is to stay competitive.
Chambal Fertilisers
India is a country with over one billion residents and Chambal Fertilisers is at the forefront of sustaining food security for this massive population.
It’s one of the “younger” companies on this list, however, it’s already an imposing figure in the local agricultural sector. Most notably, Chambal Fertilisers’ three state-of-the-art nitrogenous fertilizer plants collectively produce about 3.4 million metric tons of urea annually.
Pros:
- Chambal Fertilisers has an extensive marketing network, serving farmers across ten states in several regions of India.
- The company’s production capacity accounts for nearly 15% of the total urea produced in the country. Their latest facility, Gadepan III, is regarded as one of the most efficient fertilizer units in the whole world.
- Recognized with numerous certifications and awards for its environmental, quality, and safety management systems.
Cons:
- The company’s manufacturing and distribution efforts are concentrated in India. There doesn’t seem to be a huge focus on international exports.
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd
Ever since its incorporation in 1978, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) has been a constant presence in the local and international fertilizer market. The business is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), however, the bulk of its equity is held by the Indian Government.
RCF has two main facilities: one in Trombay, Mumbai, and another in Thal, Raigad district. Both of these units have enough production capacity to keep up with the intensive demand for the company’s products.
Pros:
- In August 2023, RCF was accorded the prestigious “Navratna” status by the Government of India for its contributions to the nation’s economy.
- Manufactures a wide array of fertilizers and industrial chemicals, including urea, complex fertilizers, micro-nutrients, soil conditioners, and more.
Cons:
- Heavy reliance on government support can be a double-edged sword, potentially limiting operational flexibility.
- RCF primarily sells its products within India and does not have a significant international presence.
Wesfarmers
Wesfarmers doesn’t have much competition on this list when it comes to market capitalization. However, the company is far more than just a leading agricultural fertilizer manufacturer. Since its humble beginnings as a farmers’ cooperative in 1914, Wesfarmers has grown into a diversified conglomerate and one of Australia’s largest employers.
Its division Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers (WesCEF) includes nine industrial companies, among which the well-established CSBP Chemicals and Fertilisers, and natural gas provider Kleenheat.
Pros:
- A strong heritage of stability and industry knowledge over 110 years of operating history.
- WesCEF is responsible for providing essential products to the agricultural, mining, construction, and manufacturing industries.
- Renowned for being leaders in their respective sectors with a strong focus on safety and innovative solutions.
Cons:
- Even though WesCEF operates in domestic, national, and international markets, the geographical location of Australia is less advantageous for global distribution.
CF Industries Holdings
As the world’s largest ammonia supplier, CF Industries has a significant influence on both the agricultural and emerging clean energy sectors. The Illinois-based company is positioned to not only support sustainable farming but also contribute to the reduction of carbon footprints across various energy-intensive industries.
Pros:
- CF Industries produces four types of nitrogen-based fertilizers: ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), and ammonium nitrate.
- The company has outlined a detailed decarbonization roadmap that aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- CF Industries is investing heavily in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and green ammonia production.
Cons:
- CF Industries will have to shift from using fossil fuels to low-carbon manufacturing methods soon. However, this will require substantial capital and operational adjustments, which could impact the company’s short-term profitability.
To enhance plant resilience and optimize growth, several of these top fertilizer companies offer innovative solutions like anti-transpirant plant conditioners, which help reduce water loss and maintain optimal moisture levels, ultimately bolstering crop health and productivity.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this overview of some of the most prominent fertilizer manufacturers gave you a general idea of the current situation in the sector.
For those who may be asking themselves “How do I find fertilizer companies near me?” we recommend checking if any of the businesses listed above have a distributor in your area.
As for any investors eyeing the stock market, look into organic fertilizer companies because the future is headed towards eco-friendly farming.
