Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries): Fertilizer consumption was 317.6% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), 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
The most recent figure for fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) is 317.6%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 24.2% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) peaked at 476.0% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 104.7%, in 1969.
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 10th of 46 groups 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 Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), year by year
| Year | % of fertilizer production | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 158.8% | — |
| 1962 | 147.0% | -7.5% |
| 1963 | 146.7% | -0.2% |
| 1964 | 170.2% | +16.0% |
| 1965 | 167.5% | -1.6% |
| 1966 | 157.5% | -6.0% |
| 1967 | 123.8% | -21.4% |
| 1968 | 131.9% | +6.5% |
| 1969 | 104.7% | -20.6% |
| 1970 | 116.3% | +11.0% |
| 1971 | 122.3% | +5.2% |
| 1972 | 122.8% | +0.4% |
| 1973 | 125.2% | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 127.0% | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 135.1% | +6.4% |
| 1976 | 136.1% | +0.7% |
| 1977 | 133.7% | -1.8% |
| 1978 | 124.6% | -6.8% |
| 1979 | 134.5% | +8.0% |
| 1980 | 149.0% | +10.7% |
| 1981 | 165.7% | +11.3% |
| 1982 | 178.0% | +7.4% |
| 1983 | 156.5% | -12.1% |
| 1984 | 132.2% | -15.6% |
| 1985 | 138.0% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 142.7% | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 127.5% | -10.7% |
| 1988 | 111.9% | -12.2% |
| 1989 | 118.5% | +5.8% |
| 1990 | 114.7% | -3.1% |
| 1991 | 119.7% | +4.3% |
| 1992 | 111.3% | -7.0% |
| 1993 | 127.8% | +14.8% |
| 1994 | 126.7% | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 107.1% | -15.5% |
| 1996 | 108.8% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 110.3% | +1.3% |
| 1998 | 113.5% | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 118.9% | +4.8% |
| 2000 | 139.9% | +17.7% |
| 2001 | 144.5% | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 202.4% | +40.1% |
| 2003 | 190.9% | -5.6% |
| 2004 | 221.0% | +15.7% |
| 2005 | 240.9% | +9.0% |
| 2006 | 274.1% | +13.8% |
| 2007 | 223.2% | -18.6% |
| 2008 | 263.3% | +18.0% |
| 2009 | 285.2% | +8.3% |
| 2010 | 342.4% | +20.1% |
| 2011 | 338.0% | -1.3% |
| 2012 | 246.4% | -27.1% |
| 2013 | 362.7% | +47.2% |
| 2014 | 341.7% | -5.8% |
| 2015 | 417.8% | +22.3% |
| 2016 | 365.9% | -12.4% |
| 2017 | 399.0% | +9.1% |
| 2018 | 364.8% | -8.6% |
| 2019 | 426.5% | +16.9% |
| 2020 | 476.0% | +11.6% |
| 2021 | 472.2% | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 255.7% | -45.8% |
| 2023 | 317.6% | +24.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 145.4% | 104.7% | 170.2% | 9 |
| 1970s | 127.8% | 116.3% | 136.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 142.0% | 111.9% | 178.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 115.9% | 107.1% | 127.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 218.5% | 139.9% | 285.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 360.5% | 246.4% | 426.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 380.4% | 255.7% | 476.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
More agriculture & rural data for Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
- Rural population, per capita 0.5534 units per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 17.9% (2025)
- Rural population 731.42 million (2025)
- Rural population growth 1.5% (2025)
- Rural population 55.3% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.6% (2024)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 299.6 current US$ per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 10.7 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.1791 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) was 317.6% 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 Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The highest recorded value was 476.0% in 2020.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- The lowest recorded value was 104.7% in 1969.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 10th out of 46 groups with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) 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.