Starter Fertilizers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented by Nutrient (Nitrogen Starter Fertilizer, Phosphorous Starter Fertilizer, Potassium, Micronutrients), By Form (Dry, Liquid), By Crop Type (Cereals, Fruits & Vegetables, Forage & Turf Grasses, Others), By Method of Application (In-Furrow, Fertigation, Foliar, Other Methods), By Type (Synthetic, Organic), By Region, and By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 9.13 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.71%
Fastest Growing Segment	In-Furrow
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 12.74 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Starter Fertilizers Market will grow from USD 9.13 Billion in 2025 to USD 12.74 Billion by 2031 at a 5.71% CAGR. Starter fertilizers are specialized nutrient formulations, typically high in phosphorus and nitrogen, applied in close proximity to the seed during planting to accelerate early root development and optimize crop establishment. The growth of this market is fundamentally supported by the intensifying global necessity to maximize yields on limited arable land and the increasing adoption of precision agriculture technologies that prioritize nutrient use efficiency. According to the International Fertilizer Association, in February 2025, global nutrient demand for the 2024/2025 fertilizer year was projected to reach 201 million tonnes, indicating a robust recovery in agricultural input consumption that underpins the demand for performance-enhancing products.

However, the expansion of the sector faces a significant impediment related to the volatility of raw material costs. Unpredictable fluctuations in the prices of essential inputs, such as phosphate rock and ammonia, create financial uncertainty for manufacturers and reduce affordability for cost-sensitive growers in developing markets. This economic instability presents a substantial challenge to the sustained scalability and adoption of starter fertilizer solutions globally.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global demand for enhanced agricultural yields and food security acts as a primary catalyst for the starter fertilizers market. As population growth pressures food supply systems, agricultural producers are increasingly compelled to maximize crop output per unit of arable land through the application of nutrient-dense inputs during the critical planting phase. Starter fertilizers, by delivering essential phosphorus and nitrogen directly to the seed furrow, ensure rapid root proliferation and robust early-stage plant establishment, which are prerequisites for optimal harvest volumes. This drive for higher productivity is evidenced by rising global output projections; according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), November 2024, in the 'Cereal Supply and Demand Brief', the forecast for world cereal production in 2024 was raised to 2,848 million tonnes, underscoring the intensive agricultural activities that necessitate effective early-season nutrient management.

Technological advancements in liquid and water-soluble fertilizer formulations are further propelling market expansion by facilitating the widespread adoption of precision farming practices. Modern agricultural systems increasingly rely on liquid starter solutions that offer superior solubility and compatibility with advanced fertigation equipment, thereby improving Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) and minimizing environmental leaching. These innovative formulations allow for the precise placement of nutrients, reducing waste and enhancing the return on investment for growers. The commercial success of such specialized inputs is reflected in recent industry performance; according to Nutrien Ltd., November 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Results', the company's gross margin growth in the first nine months was supported by the expansion of its proprietary crop nutritional and biostimulant product lines. Additionally, broader market resilience is visible in the manufacturing sector; according to Yara International, in 2024, the company reported a third-quarter EBITDA of USD 585 million, indicating a stabilized economic environment conducive to sustained investment in advanced fertilizer technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material costs serves as a critical impediment to the growth of the Global Starter Fertilizers Market. Manufacturers are heavily dependent on essential inputs such as phosphate and ammonia, which are subject to unpredictable price fluctuations driven by global supply chain dynamics. When input prices rise abruptly, producers must adjust finished product pricing to sustain operational margins, directly impacting affordability for end-users. This price instability creates hesitancy among cost-sensitive growers, who may reduce their investment in premium agricultural inputs. Consequently, the adoption of specialized starter formulations is often stalled as farmers revert to conventional, lower-cost nutrient alternatives to manage immediate operational expenses.

This economic uncertainty is further exacerbated by structural supply constraints that underpin price fluctuations. According to the International Fertilizer Association, in July 2024, global ammonia capacity was projected to grow by a marginal 1.3 percent, signaling supply tightness that drives cost instability. Such restricted availability of key raw materials complicates production planning and prevents manufacturers from offering stable pricing structures. This unpredictability limits market scalability as stakeholders across the value chain adopt conservative procurement strategies to navigate financial risks.

Key Market Trends

The integration of biostimulants and microbial inoculants into starter fertilizer programs constitutes a strategic evolution towards enhancing abiotic stress resilience. Unlike conventional inputs that primarily supply macronutrients, these bio-enhanced formulations actively trigger plant metabolic pathways to mitigate the impact of environmental challenges such as drought and salinity. This synergy ensures that early root development is not only fueled by nutrients but also protected by biological fortification, thereby securing stand establishment in volatile climates. According to Yara International, November 2024, in the 'Growing more resilient crops with biostimulants' report, field trials revealed that the combined application of mineral fertilizers and biostimulants delivered an average yield increase of 6 percent, underscoring the efficacy of this integrated approach in stabilizing production.

Concurrently, the fortification of starter fertilizers with essential micronutrients like zinc and boron has emerged as a critical trend to address specific physiological bottlenecks during germination. Zinc is essential for auxin synthesis which drives root expansion, while boron is required for structural cell wall integrity; their inclusion in starter bands prevents early-season "hidden hunger" that limits genetic potential. This demand for nutritionally complete solutions is driving significant market uptake as manufacturers shift away from commodity grades. According to The Mosaic Company, in the '2024 Sustainability Disclosure' published in 2024, the organization reported that 29.5 percent of its total crop nutrient sales volume was derived from performance products, which are engineered with added micronutrients to support superior crop establishment.

Segmental Insights

The In-Furrow segment is currently the fastest-growing category in the global starter fertilizers market. This expansion is primarily driven by the rising adoption of precision agriculture, which enables the placement of nutrients directly with the seed to enhance early root development. This method significantly improves nutrient use efficiency compared to broadcast applications. Additionally, alignment with stewardship frameworks from the International Fertilizer Association supports this trend, as the technique minimizes nutrient runoff. Consequently, agricultural producers are prioritizing In-Furrow application to ensure compliance with environmental standards while maximizing input utility during the critical early planting stages.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the global starter fertilizers market due to the widespread adoption of precision agriculture techniques across the United States and Canada. This dominance is primarily driven by the intense focus on yield maximization and efficient nutrient management for staple crops such as corn and wheat. Additionally, stringent guidelines regarding nutrient runoff from the United States Environmental Protection Agency encourage farmers to utilize targeted fertilization methods. Consequently, the combination of established agricultural infrastructure and a continuous shift toward sustainable resource utility solidifies the region's status as the major market contributor.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, AgroLiquid announced its acquisition of Monty’s Plant Food Company, a specialist in soil health and plant nutrition technology based in Louisville, Kentucky. The transaction, effective January 2025, was designed to unite AgroLiquid’s expertise in high-efficiency liquid starter fertilizers with the acquired company’s proprietary humic technology and soil enhancement products. The Chief Executive Officer of AgroLiquid stated that the strategic combination would create new opportunities to optimize nutrient efficiency and productivity for growers by offering a broader portfolio of innovative technologies that work with soil biology.
• In August 2024, Sound Agriculture launched a new beneficial fungi product named BLUEPRINT, designed to work synergistically with its flagship microbiome activator, SOURCE. This new offering was introduced to help growers optimize nutrient efficiency and improve soil health by replacing a portion of synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus starter fertilizers without sacrificing yield. The company simultaneously unveiled the Efficient Acre Incentive, a program that provides financial rewards to corn growers who adopt these products to reduce synthetic nutrient application. This launch represented a significant advancement in bio-inspired crop nutrition solutions for the starter fertilizer market.
• In August 2024, ICL Group announced the signing of a five-year distribution agreement valued at approximately $170 million with AMP Holdings Group Co. Ltd., a leading agricultural distributor in China. This collaboration focused on the supply of specialty water-soluble fertilizers, which are critical for drip irrigation and fertigation systems often used to deliver starter nutrients to high-value crops. The partnership aimed to expand the company’s Growing Solutions product offerings in the Chinese market, addressing the rising demand for efficient, precision-based crop nutrition technologies that enhance yield and sustainability.
• In April 2024, The Mosaic Company entered into a strategic share purchase and subscription agreement with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden). Under the terms of this transaction, the company agreed to exchange its twenty-five percent stake in the Ma’aden Wa’ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company joint venture for approximately 111 million shares of Ma’aden, valued at $1.5 billion. This breakthrough collaboration allowed the company to evolve its long-standing partnership while gaining a transparent value for its investment and greater capital flexibility. The deal further consolidated the company’s position in the global phosphate sector, which produces key components for starter fertilizer formulations.

Key Market Players

• The Scotts Company LLC
• Nutrien Ltd.
• Miller Seed Company
• Corteva Agriscience Business
• Yara International ASA
• CHS Inc.
• Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
• Conklin Company Partners Inc.
• Wilbur-Ellis Holdings, Inc.

By Form	By Crop Type	By Method of Application	By Type	By Region
Dry Liquid	Cereals Fruits & Vegetables Forage & Turf Grasses Others	In-Furrow Fertigation Foliar Other Methods	Synthetic Organic	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Starter Fertilizers Market, By Form:

• Dry
• Liquid

• Starter Fertilizers Market, By Crop Type:

• Cereals
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Forage & Turf Grasses
• Others

• Starter Fertilizers Market, By Method of Application:

• In-Furrow
• Fertigation
• Foliar
• Other Methods

• Starter Fertilizers Market, By Type:

• Synthetic
• Organic

• Starter Fertilizers Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE