Starter Fertilizers Global Market Report 2026

Starter fertilizers are specialized fertilizers applied in close proximity to seeds to supply essential nutrients for the initial growth of seedlings. These fertilizers are typically of high quality, containing the vital nutrients crucial for seedling development. They offer several advantages for crops, including optimizing crop yield potential, fostering early growth, and enhancing the uniformity of plant stands.

The primary categories of starter fertilizers encompass synthetic and organic variants. Organic starter fertilizers are designed to deliver readily available nutrients to seedlings and are applied in proximity to the seeds. These fertilizers are found in dry and liquid forms, containing various nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. They find application across diverse crops, including cereals, fruits and vegetables, forage, and turf grasses, and are utilized through methods such as in-furrow application, fertigation, foliar application, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the starter fertilizers market by increasing costs of imported phosphate raw materials, nitrogen compounds, specialty micronutrients, and blending equipment used in fertilizer production. Agricultural producers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported inputs, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented fertilizer manufacturing. These tariffs are raising input costs and tightening farmer margins. However, they are also encouraging domestic fertilizer production, regional sourcing of nutrients, and innovation in locally optimized fertilizer formulations.

The starter fertilizers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides starter fertilizers market statistics, including starter fertilizers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a starter fertilizers market share, detailed starter fertilizers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the starter fertilizers industry. This starter fertilizers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The starter fertilizers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.29 billion in 2025 to $8.73 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing cereal cultivation acreage, growing awareness of early-stage nutrient management, expansion of commercial farming practices, rising use of mechanized sowing equipment, availability of synthetic fertilizer formulations.

The starter fertilizers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of precision agriculture practices, rising demand for high-efficiency nutrient solutions, expansion of fertigation-based fertilizer use, growing focus on sustainable crop yield improvement, increasing integration of data-driven nutrient planning. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of precision starter fertilizer application, increasing demand for phosphorus-rich formulations, growing use of liquid starter fertilizers, expansion of micronutrient-enriched blends, enhanced focus on early crop uniformity.

The increasing demand for food is expected to propel the growth of the starter fertilizers market in the future. Starter fertilizers are applied to crops because they enhance the development of emerging seedlings by providing essential nutrients in accessible locations near the roots. This increases nutrient uptake efficiency, reduces nutrient losses to the environment, and improves the overall health and vigor of crops, thereby boosting food productivity. For example, in October 2024, the World Bank Group, a US-based international trade and development organization, projected that the global population will reach 10 billion by 2050. This population growth will require a 60% increase in food production to meet rising demand while addressing the challenges posed by accelerating climate change. Therefore, the growing demand for food drives the starter fertilizers market.

Major companies in the starter fertilizers market are focusing on high-solubility fertilizers to enhance nutrient absorption, boost crop yields, and promote sustainable agriculture by optimizing nutrient delivery. High-solubility fertilizers dissolve quickly in water, allowing plants to absorb nutrients efficiently, reducing waste, and enabling precise application for improved crop performance. For example, in June 2023, ICL Group, an Israel-based company, launched a new line of water-soluble micronutrient and N-P-K fertilizers in North America under the Nova brand. This line includes products like Nova FINISH, Nova PULSE, Nova ELEVATE, and Nova FLOW, which are designed for foliar application and fertigation. These fertilizers are formulated for maximum solubility, ensuring rapid dissolution and precise nutrient delivery. They are compatible with most herbicides and crop protectants, providing versatility for various agricultural needs. ICL's water-soluble fertilizers offer high-purity N-P-K along with essential micronutrients, tailored to the specific requirements of different crops to promote plant health and development.

In June 2024, Interoceanic Corp (IOC), a US-based chemical manufacturing company, acquired Bonus Crop Fertilizer (BCF) Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is anticipated to enhance IOC's distribution and production capabilities, improving operational efficiency and expanding its market presence in the fertilizer industry. Bonus Crop Fertilizer (BCF) is a US-based company that specializes in producing premium fertilizers for professional growers, focusing on the turf, ornamental, and consumer markets.

Major companies operating in the starter fertilizers market are Nutrien Ltd, Yara International, Mosaic Company, OCP Group, ICL Group, CF Industries, EuroChem Group, PhosAgro, SQM, Koch Fertilizer, Coromandel International, Tata Chemicals, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation, Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals (GSFC), Haifa Group, Sinochem Group, SABIC Agri-Nutrients, OCI Global, K+S Group, Uralchem

North America was the largest region in the starter fertilizers market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global starter fertilizers market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the starter fertilizers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the starter fertilizers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The started fertilizers market consists of sales of starter fertilizers with potassium chloride, zInc., boron, and ammonium nitrate nutrients. 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.

Starter Fertilizers Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses starter fertilizers market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for starter fertilizers ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The starter fertilizers market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Conventional Synthetic Starter Fertilizers; Specialty Starter Fertilizers; Bio-Enhanced Or Biological Starter Fertilizers
• 2) By Form: Dry; Liquid
• 3) By Nutrient: Nitrogen Starter Fertilizer; Phosphorous Starter Fertilizer; Micronutrients
• 4) By Crop: Cereals; Fruits And Vegetables; Forage And Turf Grasses
• 5) By Application: In-Furrow Application; Starter Band Application (2X2 or Side-Band Placement); Pop-Up Starter Application; Liquid Starter Application via Planter Attachment
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Conventional Synthetic Starter Fertilizers: NP Starter Fertilizers; NPK Starter Fertilizers; Phosphorus-Rich Starter Fertilizers; Nitrogen-Based Starter Fertilizers
• 2) By Specialty Starter Fertilizers: Micronutrient-Enriched Starter Fertilizers; Chelated Nutrient Starter Fertilizers; Low-Salt Index Starter Fertilizers; Stabilized Starter Fertilizers (with urease or nitrification inhibitors)
• 3) By Bio-Enhanced Or Biological Starter Fertilizers: Microbial Inoculant-Enhanced Starter Fertilizers; Humic and Fulvic Acid-Enriched Starter Fertilizers; Amino Acid-Based Starter Fertilizers; Biostimulant-Integrated Starter Fertilizers
• Companies Mentioned: Nutrien Ltd; Yara International; Mosaic Company; OCP Group; ICL Group; CF Industries; EuroChem Group; PhosAgro; SQM; Koch Fertilizer; Coromandel International; Tata Chemicals; Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation; Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals (GSFC); Haifa Group; Sinochem Group; SABIC Agri-Nutrients; OCI Global; K+S Group; Uralchem
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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