Controlled Release Fertilizers Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Slow-release Fertilizers, Nitrogen Stabilizers, Coated & Encapsulated Fertilizers), By End Use (Agriculture, Non-agriculture), By Mode of Application (Fertigation, Foliar, Soil, others), by region, and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market will grow from USD 2.34 Billion in 2024 to USD 3.36 Billion by 2030 at a 6.23% CAGR. Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) are specialized granular fertilizers designed to gradually release plant nutrients into the soil over an extended period. This mechanism, typically involving specialized coatings, optimizes nutrient availability, enhances plant uptake efficiency, and minimizes environmental losses such as leaching and volatilization. The global controlled release fertilizers market is primarily driven by the increasing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and the imperative to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional fertilizers. Furthermore, the escalating demand for high-value crops, which necessitate precise nutrient management to optimize yields and quality, along with the broader push for enhanced agricultural productivity, significantly supports market expansion.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion, however, remains the comparatively higher production cost of controlled release fertilizers relative to conventional alternatives. These elevated costs stem from advanced manufacturing technologies and specialized materials, posing an economic barrier for some agricultural producers. Within the broader industry context, the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) indicates that global fertilizer use of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash is projected to rise to 206 million tonnes of nutrients in fertilizer year 2024.

Key Market Drivers

The global controlled release fertilizers market is substantially influenced by the increasing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers worldwide are facing intensified pressure to minimize the environmental footprint of farming operations, driving demand for solutions that enhance nutrient use efficiency and reduce pollution. Controlled release fertilizers directly address these concerns by mitigating nutrient losses such as leaching and volatilization, which are prevalent with conventional fertilizers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in its State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2025 Report, approximately 20% of global croplands exhibit declining productivity due to factors such as soil erosion and nutrient depletion, underscoring the critical need for more sustainable nutrient management strategies. The ability of controlled release fertilizers to deliver nutrients precisely as plants need them supports soil health and aligns with ecological farming principles, making them an indispensable component of modern sustainable agriculture.

Advancements in precision agriculture techniques represent another pivotal driver shaping the market. The integration of sophisticated technologies such as sensors, GPS guidance, and variable rate application systems enables highly targeted fertilizer deployment, optimizing input use and maximizing crop performance. Controlled release fertilizers are particularly well-suited for these techniques, allowing for customized nutrient programs that match the specific requirements of different field zones. According to Green Gubre Group, in 2025, variable rate technology equipped tractors in India's Punjab region reduce NPK fertilizer use by up to 25% while maintaining yields, demonstrating the tangible benefits of combining precision methods with advanced fertilizer products. This synergy between precision agriculture and controlled release fertilizers boosts operational efficiency and supports higher yields per hectare. Within the broader fertilizer industry context, the International Fertilizer Association, in its Public Summary Short-Term Fertilizer Outlook 2024–2025, forecasts global fertilizer use (nitrogen, phosphate, and potash) to increase by 2.2% in fertilizer year 2025, with total consumption projected at 205 million tonnes of nutrients, highlighting the ongoing global reliance on nutrient inputs as agricultural production evolves.

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Key Market Challenges

The comparatively higher production cost of controlled release fertilizers relative to conventional alternatives directly impedes the growth of the global market. These elevated manufacturing expenses, resulting from advanced technologies and specialized materials, translate into higher retail prices for controlled release fertilizers. This creates a significant economic barrier for numerous agricultural producers.

Farmers often operate on tight margins, making initial investment costs a critical factor in their purchasing decisions. Despite the long-term benefits of enhanced nutrient efficiency and reduced environmental impact offered by controlled release fertilizers, their premium pricing can deter adoption, particularly in regions where price sensitivity is high. According to Farm Bureau, global spot values for potash hovered around $350 to $360 per metric ton in 2025, representing an approximately 21% increase compared to 2024 levels. Such rising costs for even conventional inputs underscore the financial pressure on farmers, making the greater expense of controlled release options a formidable obstacle to broader market penetration and expansion.

Key Market Trends

The global controlled release fertilizers market is currently shaped by two significant and distinct trends: the development of smart and environment-responsive fertilizers, and the expanding application of controlled release fertilizers beyond traditional agriculture into high-value segments. These trends are driving innovation and market diversification, addressing evolving agricultural needs.

The development of smart and environment-responsive fertilizers represents a crucial advancement in nutrient management, moving beyond conventional controlled release mechanisms to actively adapt nutrient delivery based on real-time environmental conditions such as soil moisture, temperature, or specific plant demand. This innovation allows for hyper-efficient nutrient utilization, significantly reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in December 2024, a substantial $116 million investment was announced to boost domestic fertilizer production across nine states, with a focus on environmentally friendly options including slow-release fertilizers. This investment underscores a broader commitment to advanced fertilizer technologies. Further illustrating this trend, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) reported a 47 percent increase in the sale of nano fertilizers in the financial year 2024-25, reaching total sales of 365.09 lakh bottles, demonstrating growing adoption of these advanced, precise nutrient delivery solutions.

Concurrently, the market is experiencing a notable expansion of controlled release fertilizer application beyond traditional row crops into various high-value segments. These include horticulture, nurseries, turf, ornamental plants, urban farming, and specialized crops where precise nutrient management is paramount for optimizing yields and quality. Farmers in these segments are increasingly adopting controlled release fertilizers to achieve better growth outcomes and reduce nutrient losses in controlled environments. As an example of this strategic expansion, ICL, a prominent specialty minerals company, entered into a five-year, $170 million agreement in August 2024 with China's AMP Holdings Group to supply specialty water-soluble fertilizers for drip irrigation in high-value crops such as apples and watermelons. This agreement highlights the growing investment and demand for specialized fertilizer solutions tailored for intensive and high-yield cultivation practices within non-traditional agricultural sectors.

Segmental Insights

Fertigation is recognized as the fastest-growing segment in the global controlled release fertilizers market due to its operational precision and environmental benefits. This method facilitates the accurate delivery of essential nutrients directly to the plant root zone through irrigation systems, which significantly enhances nutrient use efficiency by aligning application with crop demands. Such targeted application minimizes nutrient losses from leaching and volatilization, thereby reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The increasing adoption of advanced irrigation infrastructure, particularly drip and sprinkler systems, further strengthens fertigation's position by enabling efficient and automated nutrient management, ultimately leading to improved crop yields and quality.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global controlled release fertilizers market, primarily driven by its advanced agricultural sector and strong emphasis on sustainability. The region's widespread adoption of precision farming techniques, particularly in the United States and Canada, necessitates efficient nutrient delivery to optimize crop yields and minimize resource usage. Stricter environmental regulations, actively promoted by institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture, compel farmers to utilize solutions that reduce nutrient runoff and improve nutrient use efficiency. This dominance is further reinforced by the extensive cultivation of major field crops with high nutrient demands and a well-established infrastructure supporting technological advancements in fertilizer application.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Pursell Agri-Tech and Wastech Group formally executed a joint venture agreement to establish and operate an advanced Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) coating facility in Malaysia. This partnership, initially announced in April 2025, represents a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing sustainable agricultural innovation in Southeast Asia and beyond. The new facility is projected to significantly mitigate environmental impact by reducing fertilizer waste by 30–50%. This joint venture within the global controlled release fertilizers market focuses on developing and commercializing next-generation coating technologies that improve nutrient use efficiency and productivity while minimizing ecological footprint.

• In July 2025, Swedish agtech innovator Cropcision successfully closed its seed funding round, backed by Northern Light Capital and Partnerinvest Norr. This investment is intended to accelerate the global rollout of Cropcision's groundbreaking plastic-free, controlled-release fertilizer technology. The company's proprietary fertilizer, developed in collaboration with Umeå University, is designed for precise application across farming, forestry, and horticulture sectors. This development aligns with impending EU regulations that will ban non-biodegradable polymers in agriculture by 2028, highlighting crucial breakthrough research in sustainable controlled release fertilizers by introducing environmentally compliant solutions.

• In January 2025, Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), a prominent provider of turf care solutions, introduced two new fertilizer ranges at BTME 2025. Among these was the Xtend Controlled Release Fertilizer range, which incorporates an innovative technology. This new range features a dual-technology approach, combining temperature-primed nutrient release with inhibited nitrogen to ensure a genuinely controlled nutrient delivery. This formulation is designed to provide an initial quick response in turf followed by a consistent nutrient supply over a three-month period. This launch represents a significant product development within the global controlled release fertilizers market, aiming to enhance nutrient efficiency and application precision.

• In May 2024, SK Leaveo, a company specializing in biodegradable materials and a subsidiary of SKC, announced a significant business agreement with Nousbo, an agricultural company. This collaboration aims to commercialize eco-friendly, biodegradable slow-release coated fertilizers. The companies plan to jointly develop technologies for raw materials, processes, and product designs, with an objective to launch a new controlled-release fertilizer product in the first quarter of 2025. This initiative focuses on utilizing polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) for coatings, replacing traditional plastic resins, to reduce environmental impact within the global controlled release fertilizers market.

Key Market Players

• ATS Group of Companies
• COMPO GmbH
• Ekompany International B.V
• Greenfeed Agro Sdn. Bhd.
• Haifa Group
• Hanfeng Evergreen Inc.
• Harrell's LLC
• HIF Tech Sdn Bhd
• Israel Chemicals Ltd
• JNC Corporation

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Controlled Release Fertilizers Market, By Type:

o   Slow-release Fertilizers

o   Nitrogen Stabilizers

o   Coated & Encapsulated Fertilizers

• Controlled Release Fertilizers Market, By End Use:

o   Agriculture

o   Non-agriculture

• Controlled Release Fertilizers Market, By Mode of Application:

o   Fertigation

o   Foliar

o   Soil

o   Others

• Controlled Release Fertilizers Market, By Region:

o   NorthAmerica

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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