Brief Analysis of China’s Fertilizer Import and Export in JUNE 2025

I. Market Overview

According to data from China Customs, the import and export of fertilizers in China from January to June 2025 exhibited a dual growth in export volume and value, alongside a concentrated import structure.

Cumulative exports reached 17.13 million tons, up 35.9% year-on-year, with an export value of USD 4.069 billion, representing a 25.9% increase. Imports mainly consisted of potash fertilizers and sulfur, with the overall scale remaining relatively stable. These figures reflect the combined influence of domestic industrial policy adjustments, shifts in international market demand, and evolving product competition dynamics.

This report is based on China Customs import and export data, focusing on the performance of key fertilizer categories to provide industry insights.

II. Export Market: Structural Growth and Notable Product Differentiation

1. Growth Trend in Total Export Volume and Value

   
   

   In June 2025 alone, China exported 4.29 million tons of various fertilizers. From January to June, the cumulative export volume reached 17.13 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 35.9%. The cumulative export value was USD 4.069 billion, up 25.9% year-on-year. The growth in volume outpaced that of value, indicating continued pressure on export unit prices.

   
   

2. Performance of Key Export Categories

   
   

   • Ammonium Sulfate: As the leading export product, 1.86 million tons were exported in June alone. From January to June, cumulative exports reached approximately 8.83 million tons, up 35.1% year-on-year, accounting for 51.5% of total fertilizer exports—maintaining its lead in the export market.

   
   

   • NP Compound Fertilizers: Performed strongly, with 761,300 tons exported in June and a total of 2.1797 million tons from January to June, becoming a major phosphate fertilizer with high year-on-year growth. Export destinations include Brazil, India, and Vietnam, largely driven by increased substitution demand in international markets.

   
   

   • Traditional Phosphate Nitrogen Fertilizers: Exports remained low, with June exports of DAP at around 510,000 tons and MAP at approximately 170,000 tons. Cumulative exports from January to June were 600,000 tons for DAP (down 60.4% year-on-year) and 260,000 tons for MAP (down 72.5%).

   
   

   • Urea: Export volume was relatively low, with 70,000 tons exported in June and 80,000 tons from January to June, a 44.2% decline year-on-year.

   
   

3. Export Breakdown of Phosphate Fertilizers

   
   

   • Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP): 165,600 tons exported in June, with a cumulative total of 256,900 tons for the first half of the year. Major export destinations include Australia, Brazil, and Japan. June exports were 88,400 tons to Australia, 50,500 tons to Brazil, and 16,300 tons to Japan.

   
   

   • Diammonium Phosphate (DAP): 506,300 tons exported in June, totaling 599,100 tons from January to June. Key destinations include Vietnam (126,700 tons), Ethiopia (99,500 tons), and Thailand (98,900 tons) in June.

   
   

   • Triple Superphosphate (TSP): 59,300 tons exported in June, totaling 301,000 tons for the half-year. Main destinations were Brazil (20,000 tons), Indonesia (16,200 tons), and Argentina (9,900 tons).

   
   

   • Single Superphosphate (SSP): 191,000 tons exported in June, totaling 1.5913 million tons from January to June. Major destinations were Brazil (172,100 tons in June, accounting for 90.1% of the monthly SSP export volume), Uruguay (10,000 tons), and Chile (5,775 tons).

III. Import Market: Potash and Sulfur Dominate the Landscape

1. Total Import Volume and Major Categories

   
   

   In June 2025, imports of various fertilizers and raw materials included:

   
   

   – Sulfur: 988,400 tons

   
   

   – Potassium Chloride (including pure KCl): 657,500 tons

   
   

   – NPK Compound Fertilizers: 96,400 tons

   
   

   – Ammonia: 81,300 tons

   
   

From January to June, the top five imported fertilizer and raw material categories were:

– Other forms of potassium chloride (excluding pure KCl): 6.2794 million tons

– Sulfur: 5.3444 million tons

– Unground phosphate rock: 76,5900 tons

– NPK compound fertilizers: 550,400 tons

– Ammonia: 260,800 tons

2. Performance of Key Imported Categories

   
   

   • Potassium Chloride (KCl): Cumulative imports from January to June totaled 6.2794 million tons (excluding pure KCl), with 657,500 tons imported in June alone. This makes it the most imported fertilizer, highlighting the domestic rigidity in potash demand.

   
   

   • Sulfur: As a critical raw material for fertilizer production, sulfur imports reached 5.3444 million tons in the first half of the year and 988,400 tons in June alone. Being essential for phosphate fertilizer production, sulfur import volumes significantly impact production costs.

   
   

   • NPK Compound Fertilizers: Imported 550,400 tons from January to June and 96,400 tons in June. Imports show a declining trend, reflecting the enhanced self-sufficiency of domestic compound fertilizer production.

IV. Key Characteristics

1. Key Features of the Export Market

   
   

   The export market shows marked structural differentiation. Ammonium sulfate maintains its dominant position, while NP compound fertilizers emerge as a new growth highlight. However, traditional phosphate-nitrogen fertilizers face continued suppression with significant year-on-year declines. Export performance is closely tied to domestic policy control, international substitution demand, and production costs.

   
   

2. Key Features of the Import Market

   
   

   Potash fertilizers and sulfur remain the core of the import market. Potassium chloride ensures basic supply, sulfur influences phosphate fertilizer production, and declining NPK imports reflect growing domestic competitiveness. Overall, the import structure aligns closely with agricultural production needs.

   
   

Conclusion

From January to June 2025, China’s fertilizer import and export markets exhibited clear product differentiation trends. On the export side, stable output of ammonium sulfate and growth in NP compound fertilizers drove performance, while traditional phosphate-nitrogen fertilizers remained under pressure.

On the import side, focus centered on key categories such as potash and sulfur, ensuring the needs of domestic agricultural production. Moving forward, market trends will continue to be shaped by domestic policy shifts, international supply-demand dynamics, and fluctuations in production costs.

Attention: The above information is for commercial reference only due to the diversity of information collected, and Kelewell is not responsible for the authenticity of the data.