The four major fertilizer nutrients are produced from naturally occurring substances either in the earth’s atmosphere (nitrogen), at or near the earth’s surface (phosphate, sulphate) or below the earth’s surface (potash). Our industry consolidates, concentrates and ensures the nutrients are provided in a balanced and environmentally responsible form for use in food production.

The United Nations indicates that our current global population is expected to reach about 9.0 billion people by 2050. Other reports indicate that our current food production will need to rise by 50 percent by 2013, and to double by 2038 in order to satisfy global food demand.

Fertilizer use is directly attributed to at least half of the world’s food production. A world grain deficit has existed since the year 2000. The world grain stock-to-use ratio is currently the lowest it has been in the last 35 years with the 2007/2008 ratio the lowest in recorded history.

Crop yields for major crops remain low in countries such as India, China and Brazil. For example, China’s corn and soybean yields are roughly 50 percent and 60 percent of those in the United States, respectively; and rice yield in India is half that of the United States’ average rice yield. In these countries fertilization practices are often unbalanced and below crop requirements, limiting overall yield and food quality.

As the world’s population expands, less land is available per capita to grow food. Our ability to feed the world must increase, and commercially manufactured fertilizer nutrients are a large part of the input required. Globally, consumptive fertilizer use for major crops is apportioned as 17 percent for wheat, 17 percent for fruit and vegetable, 15 percent for rice and 15 percent for corn; and within the United States as 45 percent for corn and 13 percent for wheat.  The remainder is divided amongst all other crops grown.

While fertilizer is the single largest input related directly to yield, attention must also be focused on plant breeding and genetics, pest control issues, cropping system management, advances in mechanization, harvest management and water use efficiency. For example, water available for agricultural purposes in China decreased 20 percent  from 1980 to 2000, highlighting the need for increased efficiency in food production.