Economic Importance of Potassium-Containing Fertilizers

The production and consumption of potassium-containing fertilizers in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1994 were 3.3 10 t as K2O and 0.65 10 t as K2O respectively. The most important producing country is Canada with 8.1 10 t/a as K2O in 1994. 

Worldwide more than 90% of the potassium-containing fertilizer used is potassium chloride. Potassium sulfate, potassium magnesium sulfate and potassium nitrate are, however, also used as fertilizers, in particular for plants which have a poor tolerance for chloride ions (e.g. tobacco, spinach, cucumbers etc.) or where magnesium-containing fertilizer is also required. 

The worldwide production of potassium sulfate in 1996 was 3.0 10 t/a It is mainly produced in West Europe with 

The worldwide production capacity for potassium nitrate in 1996 was ca. 1.3- 10 t, of which 75% was for fertilizers and 25% for industrial applications. Table 2.2-10 gives the potassium nitrate consumption by region for 1997. 

The potassium nitrate production capacities for the main producing countries in 1997 are given in Table 2.2-11. 

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