Fertilizer consumption in Zambia
Zambia: Fertilizer consumption was 293,607 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Zambia, 1961–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fertilizer consumption in Zambia is 293,607 tonnes, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 19.7% on the previous year and up 62.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Zambia peaked at 303,089 tonnes in 2020 and was at its lowest, 8,525 tonnes, in 1962.
That places Zambia 48th out of 200 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12,439 tonnes | 8,525 tonnes | 19,114 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 52,425 tonnes | 36,201 tonnes | 67,488 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 79,048 tonnes | 56,275 tonnes | 95,277 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 58,464 tonnes | 34,028 tonnes | 85,377 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 75,452 tonnes | 31,406 tonnes | 117,985 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 196,700 tonnes | 99,197 tonnes | 273,797 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 271,216 tonnes | 242,817 tonnes | 303,089 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More agriculture & rural data for Zambia
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 1.19 billion current US$ (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 4.1% (2025)
- Rural population 11.85 million (2025)
- Rural population growth 1.9% (2025)
- Rural population 54.1% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.7% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.4% (2024)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 4.1% (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 4.1% (2025)
- Land under cereal production 1.56 million hectares (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Zambia?
- Fertilizer consumption in Zambia was 293,607 tonnes in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fertilizer consumption recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 303,089 tonnes in 2020.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,525 tonnes in 1962.
- How does Zambia rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Zambia ranks 48th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 62.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Fertilizer consumption. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Agricultural use from all fertilizer products (including nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers).