Mainland China has become the world’s largest producer and consumer of NPK compound fertilizers. Over 3,000 companies produce NPK compound fertilizers in mainland China, with a total capacity of about 173.5 million metric tons in 2021. Most of the consumption growth will be in Africa (albeit from a small base), the CIS and Baltic States, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia/Oceania.

The products covered in this report are the following:

• NPK fertilizers typically contain at least 3% N plus 5% P2O5 plus 5% K2O and at least 20% total nutrients. Nutrient ratios are provided for NPK fertilizers, such as 1:1:1. If there are additional numbers, it would refer to magnesium and then sulfur. Since each granule of these fertilizers contains the same proportion of nutrients, application to the soil can be simple.
• NP fertilizers have a minimum of 3% N and 5% P2O5 and at least 18% of total nutrients. These products are applied where the soil is already rich in potassium content or where potash can be applied as a standalone fertilizer.
• NitroP fertilizers are made by reacting nitric acid with phosphate compounds. As it does not use sulfuric acid, there is no unwanted gypsum waste.