Secondary Macronutrients Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Nutrient (Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium ), By Formulations (Dry, Liquid), By Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, Others) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

In recent years, agricultural practices have significantly evolved. The consumer preferences for high-quality food products are gaining popularity. With the increasing use of fertilizers, the presence of macronutrients in the soil is diminished as the majority of the fertilizers do not contain any macronutrients. Healthy plants require all essential nutrients to grow, increasing the demand for secondary macronutrients in the market.

Nutrients are essential for the growth of the plants as they help the plants germinate, fight against disease-causing pathogens, and also helps in plant reproduction. Nutrients can be classified into two major categories, namely: primary nutrients and secondary nutrients. Primary nutrients also called macronutrients, are the nutrients that are required in larger amounts for plant development. They mainly include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. On the other hand, secondary nutrients are those nutrients needed by the plant in small quantities. The major secondary macronutrients are calcium(Ca), Magnesium(Mg), and Sulfur (S).

Although required in small quantities, secondary macronutrients are highly useful in ensuring the healthy growth of plants. The presence of calcium in plants helps to provide the required structural support for the plant cell. The absence of sufficient calcium in plants causes weakened stems, premature flower shedding, and a combination of other diseases. Similarly, magnesium is required for photosynthesis as it activates the enzymes required for plant growth. Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis in plants causing the leaves to become pink and curl upward along the leaf margin. Lastly, sulfur is also required in moderate quantities, and it helps the plants develop chlorophyll and protein synthesis. The deficiency of sulfur causes necrosis and stunted growth in plants.

Due to intensive farming practices in recent years using primary macronutrients, the plants suffer from secondary micronutrient deficiencies. Studies conducted by Michigan State University Extension have found that plants suffer from nutrient deficiencies when they are not available in sufficient quantiles in the soil. This can be attributed to the use of high levels of fertilizers in the soil. Changes in soil pH (when it is highly acidic or basic) and differences in soil temperature also reduce the plants' uptake of nutrients. This has been the major cause of calcium and magnesium deficiency in soils.

Additionally, in modern agriculture, the use of sulfur in most fertilizers and pesticides has been minimized. Due to environmental pollution, the government has also restricted the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Hence, sulfur is also not available to the plants through precipitation. This has been the major cause of sulfur deficiency in plants. 

Although agricultural revolution and mechanization have increased food production in recent years, there remains a huge difference between the supply and demand for food. Commercial fertilizers have caused a sudden increase in certain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and reduced the availability of other nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, and sulfur in the soil. But the demand for high-value crops such as wheat, maize, and others is on the rise, which requires all essential nutrients to achieve healthy growth. Hence, the demand for secondary macronutrients in the market is rising to ensure that high quality and better yield of crops is obtained.

Limited product availability is considered one of the main factors responsible for negatively impacting the growth of the secondary macronutrient market globally.

Key Players Covered:

The key players operating in the global secondary macronutrients market are Nutrien, Yara International, The Mosaic Company, Israel Chemicals Ltd., and K+S. Other major players are Nufarm, Koch Industries, Coromandel International, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals, Haifa Chemicals, Sapec Agro Busines, and Kugler Company.

Among the various macronutrients present in the market, calcium is expected to register the fastest growth due to the increasing use of calcium in plants in their developing stage. The use of calcium helps improve the health of the soil and improves the nutrient intake of soil. The use of calcium also ensures faster and greater root mass and better growth of plants. 

In the market, secondary macronutrients are available in different forms, such as liquid and dry. The dry form of secondary macronutrient has extended shelf life and are cost-effective compared to the liquid form of secondary macronutrients. Liquid applications are anticipated to exhibit substantial growth owing to their wide application in the market. The products are easier to apply using fertigation methods, and it also helps to reduce labor costs. Additionally, this method has higher efficacy compared to the solid applications of macronutrients in the soil.

Regional Analysis:

The Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit strong growth of the market is significantly growing in the region. The rising demand for high-quality crops and rising awareness among the farmers about essential nutrients in the soil plays a major role in increasing the adoption of secondary macronutrients in the market. Increasing government policies to create awareness among the farmers about the under and over the nutrition of crops is also responsible for increasing the demand for secondary macronutrients in this region.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In 2021, ICCL Group LTD, one of the leading global specialty minerals company acquired Fertliaqua which offers complete product solutions for plant life cycle which include seed treatment and soil revitalization products.