Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Fertilizer consumption was 317.6% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan 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
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 317.6% for fertilizer consumption in 2023.
That represents a change of up 24.2% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 476.0% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 104.7%, in 1969.
Sub-Saharan Africa 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, 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
More agriculture & rural data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 10.7 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.5534 units per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.1791 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 299.6 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 1.53 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population 55.3% (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 17.9% (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 395.96 billion current US$ (2025)
- Rural population 731.42 million (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Fertilizer consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa 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?
- The highest recorded value was 476.0% in 2020.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 104.7% in 1969.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 10th out of 46 groups with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 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 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.