Fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Fertilizer consumption was 7.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia, 1970–2023
Source: FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of fertilizer production.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia is 7.1%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.7% on the previous year and down 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia peaked at 113.7% in 1989 and was at its lowest, 3.6%, in 1972.
That places Saudi Arabia 97th out of 106 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of fertilizer production | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 20.4% | — |
| 1971 | 7.2% | -64.6% |
| 1972 | 3.6% | -49.6% |
| 1973 | 13.9% | +281.7% |
| 1974 | 9.9% | -28.6% |
| 1975 | 9.3% | -6.2% |
| 1976 | 8.5% | -9.3% |
| 1977 | 8.6% | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 11.9% | +38.2% |
| 1979 | 15.9% | +33.6% |
| 1980 | 26.9% | +69.1% |
| 1981 | 42.5% | +57.6% |
| 1982 | 59.1% | +39.2% |
| 1983 | 80.8% | +36.6% |
| 1984 | 65.9% | -18.4% |
| 1985 | 81.5% | +23.7% |
| 1986 | 94.5% | +15.9% |
| 1987 | 100.6% | +6.5% |
| 1988 | 108.5% | +7.9% |
| 1989 | 113.7% | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 86.2% | -24.2% |
| 1991 | 63.7% | -26.1% |
| 1992 | 60.1% | -5.6% |
| 1993 | 47.3% | -21.4% |
| 1994 | 30.0% | -36.4% |
| 1995 | 24.7% | -17.8% |
| 1996 | 26.6% | +7.5% |
| 1997 | 29.2% | +9.8% |
| 1998 | 27.1% | -7.0% |
| 1999 | 28.3% | +4.2% |
| 2000 | 26.9% | -4.9% |
| 2001 | 25.6% | -4.6% |
| 2002 | 23.6% | -8.1% |
| 2003 | 24.2% | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 26.0% | +7.5% |
| 2005 | 21.0% | -19.0% |
| 2006 | 21.0% | -0.4% |
| 2007 | 17.2% | -18.2% |
| 2008 | 11.7% | -31.6% |
| 2009 | 10.8% | -8.1% |
| 2010 | 10.8% | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 11.7% | +8.3% |
| 2012 | 10.2% | -12.6% |
| 2013 | 8.2% | -19.1% |
| 2014 | 9.5% | +15.0% |
| 2015 | 8.8% | -7.3% |
| 2016 | 8.1% | -8.3% |
| 2017 | 7.3% | -9.3% |
| 2018 | 7.1% | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 7.1% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 9.1% | +29.0% |
| 2021 | 8.5% | -7.3% |
| 2022 | 7.9% | -6.6% |
| 2023 | 7.1% | -9.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.9% | 3.6% | 20.4% | 10 |
| 1980s | 77.4% | 26.9% | 113.7% | 10 |
| 1990s | 42.3% | 24.7% | 86.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.8% | 10.8% | 26.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.9% | 7.1% | 11.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.2% | 7.1% | 9.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More agriculture & rural data for Saudi Arabia
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 5.2 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0259 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 894.48 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 3.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.1539 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.6% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.6% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.3% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.6% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia?
- Fertilizer consumption in Saudi Arabia was 7.1% in 2023, according to FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest fertilizer consumption recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 113.7% in 1989.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.6% in 1972.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 97th out of 106 countries with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Fertilizer consumption (% of fertilizer production). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients and is calculated as production plus imports minus exports. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. Because some chemical compounds used for fertilizers have other industrial applications, the consumption data may overstate the quantity available for crops. Fertilizer consumption as a share of production shows the agriculture sector's vulnerability to import and energy price fluctuation. Most fertilizers that are commonly used in agriculture contain the three basic plant nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Some fertilizers also contain certain micronutrients such as zinc and other metals that are necessary for plant growth. Materials that are applied to the land primarily to enhance soil characteristics (rather than as plant food) are commonly referred to as soil amendments.