Fertilizer consumption in South Africa
South Africa: Fertilizer consumption was 491.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in South Africa, 1961–2023
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
In 2023, fertilizer consumption in South Africa stood at 491.1%. That is the highest value across all 63 years on record.
The figure is up 49.5% on the previous year and up 108.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in South Africa peaked at 491.1% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 90.2%, in 1997.
South Africa ranks 24th of 106 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fertilizer consumption in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of fertilizer production | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 137.1% | — |
| 1962 | 129.3% | -5.7% |
| 1963 | 128.3% | -0.8% |
| 1964 | 145.1% | +13.1% |
| 1965 | 143.6% | -1.0% |
| 1966 | 135.0% | -6.0% |
| 1967 | 101.5% | -24.8% |
| 1968 | 119.6% | +17.8% |
| 1969 | 97.0% | -18.9% |
| 1970 | 104.5% | +7.7% |
| 1971 | 110.6% | +5.8% |
| 1972 | 115.8% | +4.7% |
| 1973 | 114.9% | -0.7% |
| 1974 | 109.0% | -5.2% |
| 1975 | 111.6% | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 111.9% | +0.3% |
| 1977 | 106.3% | -5.1% |
| 1978 | 104.6% | -1.6% |
| 1979 | 110.0% | +5.2% |
| 1980 | 115.2% | +4.7% |
| 1981 | 128.8% | +11.8% |
| 1982 | 138.1% | +7.2% |
| 1983 | 110.9% | -19.7% |
| 1984 | 97.9% | -11.7% |
| 1985 | 101.3% | +3.5% |
| 1986 | 108.2% | +6.7% |
| 1987 | 103.2% | -4.6% |
| 1988 | 98.0% | -5.1% |
| 1989 | 101.1% | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 96.9% | -4.2% |
| 1991 | 98.5% | +1.6% |
| 1992 | 97.7% | -0.8% |
| 1993 | 109.4% | +11.9% |
| 1994 | 108.5% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 96.7% | -10.9% |
| 1996 | 94.6% | -2.2% |
| 1997 | 90.2% | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 97.6% | +8.2% |
| 1999 | 97.3% | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 128.3% | +31.9% |
| 2001 | 147.9% | +15.2% |
| 2002 | 148.7% | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 126.4% | -15.0% |
| 2004 | 163.2% | +29.2% |
| 2005 | 150.7% | -7.7% |
| 2006 | 183.1% | +21.5% |
| 2007 | 152.5% | -16.7% |
| 2008 | 173.8% | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 180.2% | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 171.0% | -5.1% |
| 2011 | 186.5% | +9.1% |
| 2012 | 158.0% | -15.3% |
| 2013 | 235.7% | +49.2% |
| 2014 | 184.8% | -21.6% |
| 2015 | 238.5% | +29.0% |
| 2016 | 203.6% | -14.6% |
| 2017 | 238.0% | +16.9% |
| 2018 | 281.2% | +18.1% |
| 2019 | 332.3% | +18.2% |
| 2020 | 338.4% | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 375.7% | +11.0% |
| 2022 | 328.4% | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 491.1% | +49.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 126.3% | 97.0% | 145.1% | 9 |
| 1970s | 109.9% | 104.5% | 115.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 110.3% | 97.9% | 138.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 98.7% | 90.2% | 109.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 155.5% | 126.4% | 183.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 223.0% | 158.0% | 332.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 383.4% | 328.4% | 491.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 21 Switzerland 592.9% compare
- 22 Romania 544.2% compare
- 23 Albania 530.0% compare
- 25 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 472.4% compare
- 26 Myanmar 467.7% compare
- 27 Philippines 459.2% compare
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3618 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in South Africa?
- Fertilizer consumption in South Africa was 491.1% 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 491.1% in 2023.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 90.2% in 1997.
- How does South Africa rank for fertilizer consumption?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 106 countries with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 108.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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.