Statistical Overview of Fertilizer Production

World fertilizer production increased steadily from 28 million nutrient tonnes in 1960 to a peak of 158 mil- 

Statistics showing annual fertilizer production by economic class of countries (developed and developing) for the years 1960 through 1995 are shown in Table 3.1. Other data, presented in Table 3.2, show recent production trends within developed markets, developir markets, and the reforming markets of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. 

Several factors affected fertilizer production during the 1979/80 to 1994/95 period. Depressed fertilizer prices, economic and political reforms, structural adjustment programs, raw material shortages, and depressed demand were some of the important contributory factors. 

Source Data compiled by IFDC from various issues of FAO Fertilizer Yearbooks and fertilizer data tapes. 

Fertilizer production decreased from 60.9 million tonnes in 1979/80 to 54.9 million tonnes in 1992/93. Decreases in fertilizer production in Western Europe and Oceania contributed mostly to this trend. Depressed demand and low prices caused many fertilizer plants to be unprofitable and unsustainable in these regions. 

---