In today’s market, there is a growing range of “new-generation” water-soluble fertilizers and functional additives-humic acids, amino acids, fish protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, and more. Many growers find them difficult to distinguish, and even some distributors and manufacturers struggle to explain their differences clearly. In reality, these products are not “nutrient fertilizers” in the traditional sense. They are derived from different sources and work through di

I. Potash Market: Tight Supply and Rising Prices Amid Strategic Standoff; Pre-Spring Ploughing Stockpiling Underway, Tight Circulation Becoming the Norm Recently, China’s domestic potash market has exhibited an unusual pattern of shrinking volumes alongside rising prices. Despite persistent market rumors suggesting policy coordination through long-term contract allocations and direct-supply releases, actual circulating volumes remain tight. Against this backdrop of reduced av

I. Forms and Availability of Phosphorus in Soil Soil phosphorus can be categorized into two major classes based on its chemical properties:  organic phosphorus  and  inorganic phosphorus . The vast majority exists in forms not readily available to plants, such as insoluble inorganic phosphates bound to iron, aluminum, and calcium, or as organic phosphorus compounds (e.g., phytates, phospholipids). Plants primarily absorb  orthophosphate ions (H₂PO₄⁻ or HPO₄²⁻)  from the soil

I. Russia: Port Expansion to Boost Mineral Fertilizer Exports by 8–12% Following the completion of the expansion at Russia’s Ust-Luga Port Favor terminal, the country’s export capacity for mineral fertilizers is expected to increase by 8–12%. The terminal is open to all fertilizer producers and offers a key advantage in handling efficiency compared with non-specialized ports. At present, Russia still lacks sufficient dedicated port infrastructure for mineral fertilizers. The

When a high-quality seaweed extract has been properly selected, the real release of its value often lies in the details of precision application. In our previous article, “ Seaweed Extracts for Agricultural Use: A Comprehensive Guide from Definition to Selection ,”  we systematically analyzed the differences in how seaweed extracts are understood and categorized. By now, it should be clear that although products may all be labeled as “seaweed extract,” differences in raw mate

A Science-Based Nutrient Strategy to Overcome Quality and Yield Challenges in Winter Tomato Production Tomato is one of the most widely cultivated and highly commercialized vegetable crops worldwide. Combining high nutritional value with stable market demand, it plays a central role in protected agriculture and off-season production systems. In relatively warm regions such as subtropical and tropical areas, winter tomato production benefits from off-season market windows and

I. Executive Summary Entering late January 2026, the global fertilizer market is operating within a structural framework characterized by “high cost support + tight supply–demand balance.” In the Chinese market , phosphate fertilizers remain stable at elevated levels under the dual influence of supply-guarantee and price-stabilization policies together with persistently high raw-material costs. Potash prices are trending steadily upward, supported by low inventories and incre

Potassium hydroxide (chemical formula: KOH) is a strong inorganic alkali. Under ambient conditions, a 0.1 mol/L potassium hydroxide solution exhibits strong alkalinity, with a pH typically above 13. KOH appears as a white, uniform granular, powdery, or flake solid and is highly soluble in water, forming strongly alkaline solutions. I. Applications and Industrial Landscape of Potassium Hydroxide (1) Industrial-Grade Potassium Hydroxide: A Pillar of Basic Chemical Industry (App

I. The Overlooked “Soil Condition”: Why Is Fertilization Becoming Less Effective? In many agricultural regions, farmers are not lacking in fertilization experience. Decisions such as when to apply nitrogen, when to supplement potassium, or when to add micronutrients are often based on long-established practices. However, in reality, many fields show no corresponding improvement in crop performance despite increasing fertilizer inputs year after year. Instead, problems such as

In 2025, China’s fertilizer imports and exports showed a clear pattern of strong growth in export volumes and values, alongside a slight decline in imports. Urea exports recorded particularly sharp growth, while phosphate fertilizer exports continued to contract. Domestic policy priorities focused on securing internal supply had a profound impact on the global phosphate fertilizer market structure. Looking ahead to 2026, the global phosphate fertilizer supply outlook is broad

I. Why Is Magnesium Essential in Aquaculture? In aquaculture practice, many production problems do not originate directly from diseases, but from more fundamental and often overlooked factors—imbalances in waterborne minerals. Issues such as failed molting in crustaceans, increased mortality after stress events, unstable water quality, and disrupted algal communities are frequently linked to deficiencies or improper ratios of basic ions such as magnesium in the culture water.

Urea and calcium ammonium nitrate (can) are both nitrogen fertilizers. How do their nitrogen supply effects differ, and how should they be chosen in practice? In today’s agricultural input market, an increasing number of distributors and growers are paying close attention to Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) . In certain application scenarios, CAN is even being used to partially replace traditional urea for topdressing. So, what are the fundamental differences between urea and

From December 26, 2025 to January 9, 2026, China’s domestic fertilizer market operated around the core theme of “price stability and supply assurance for phosphate fertilizers.” On the raw material side, clear divergence was observed: phosphate rock remained largely stable, sulfur fluctuated at high levels, while sulfuric acid and synthetic ammonia stayed broadly stable. The potash market continued to operate under a tight supply–demand balance, with prices holding firm at el

In agricultural production, potassium nitrate stands out as a key fertilizer for fruit enlargement, quality improvement, stress resistance, and yield enhancement due to its unique dual supply of nitrogen and potassium. It provides crops with readily available nitrate nitrogen, promoting photosynthate formation and nutrient transport, while also supplying potassium, which enhances cellular structural stability and improves overall resistance to lodging, environmental stress, a

Ferrous sulfate is one of the essential care materials for flower and ornamental plant enthusiasts. Especially for evergreen foliage plants grown in warm regions, proper application of ferrous sulfate can effectively address soil alkalization and iron deficiency, supporting healthy plant growth. So, under what conditions do plants need ferrous sulfate, and how should it be applied correctly? Ferrous sulfate appears as fine crystalline powder and is readily soluble in water. I

Recently, the international fertilizer market has shown clear characteristics of concentrated demand release supported by government subsidy policies. Countries including India, Indonesia, and Nepal have actively advanced fertilizer tenders and procurement programs, while Pakistan recorded record-high fertilizer sales. Against this backdrop, China’s potash market concluded 2025 at elevated but stable levels, and entered 2026 with continued firmness. Potassium chloride prices

Potassium nitrate is a widely used binary compound fertilizer in agriculture, containing approximately 13% nitrogen (N)  and 46% potassium oxide (K₂O) . It combines the functions of both nitrogen and potassium fertilizers, offering a balanced nutrient profile and excellent water solubility, allowing rapid uptake by crop roots. It is chloride-free , making it especially suitable for chloride-sensitive crops such as tobacco, potatoes, and citrus . Potassium nitrate effectively

We have previously provided a detailed introduction to boron as an element and its related products. Please refer back to the following article: https://www.kelewell.de/en/post/a-comprehensive-overview-of-boron-products-from-borax-pentahydrate-to-dot-exploring-agriculture-a In addition to the boron fertilizers we have already discussed—such as boric acid and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate—there is another emerging form of boron fertilizer: liquid boron , which can serve as

By late December, China’s fertilizer market has exhibited clear structural characteristics. On the raw material side, sulfur shows a pattern of domestic price pullback alongside high-level volatility in imported material, while phosphate rock, sulfuric acid, and synthetic ammonia remain broadly stable. The phosphate fertilizer market continues to implement policy-driven supply assurance and price stabilization, with prices remaining steady despite rising cost pressure. The po

As modern agriculture places increasing emphasis on crop health and quality, nutrient imbalance has become a central concern in crop management. Among various nutritional disorders, iron chlorosis is one of the most widespread and impactful problems affecting a wide range of crops, directly constraining growth, yield, and quality. Among the available iron supplementation solutions, EDDHA-Fe, as a highly stable chelated iron fertilizer, has gradually emerged as a preferred opt