Top Urea Fertilizer Exporting Countries in 2024

Top Urea Fertilizer Exporting Countries

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Urea fertilizer remains one of the most important agricultural inputs globally, driving crop productivity, ensuring food security, and shaping international trade flows. As demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers continues to rise, global competition among exporting nations has intensified. In 2024, the dynamics of urea fertilizer exports reflect not only production capacity but also logistics, pricing strategies, and shifting trade agreements.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the top urea fertilizer exporting countries in 2024, analyzing their market share, trade routes, economic impact, and recent changes in rankings. It also explores how complementary nutrient solutions like yarafert products and specialized formulations such as SULFOMIX or Biofast integrate into the fertilizer value chain.

Table of Contents

Leading Urea Fertilizer Exporters by Volume

In 2024, a handful of countries dominate global exports of urea fertilizer due to their abundant natural gas reserves, advanced production facilities, and competitive pricing. The leading exporters include:

China – Despite regulatory controls, China remains a key player, leveraging its vast production capacity.
Russia – Strong energy resources and proximity to European and Asian markets secure Russia’s position.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia – Middle Eastern producers benefit from low-cost natural gas inputs, making exports highly competitive.
Egypt – Rapidly expanding capacity places Egypt among the top exporters to Africa and Europe.
Indonesia – With growing production facilities, Indonesia is a rising supplier to Asian markets.

These countries account for the majority of global urea fertilizer shipments, supplying critical agricultural economies worldwide. To complement standard nitrogen-based fertilizers, advanced solutions such as Ugarit 27-27-27 + TE or Ugarit K-T-S 25 help farmers balance nutrient intake with potassium, sulfur, and trace elements.

Market Share of Global Urea Fertilizer Exports

Global urea fertilizer trade exceeds 55 million tons annually, and in 2024, the market share is concentrated among the top five exporting nations. Their share is determined by both production efficiency and logistics infrastructure.

Country	Share of Global Exports (2024 est.)	Key Import Destinations
China	22%	India, Brazil, Southeast Asia
Russia	16%	Europe, Latin America
Qatar	12%	South Asia, Africa
Saudi Arabia	11%	Asia-Pacific, Africa
Egypt	9%	Europe, Africa

While urea fertilizer remains dominant, integrated solutions like CALCIMAG (with 22% CaO and 15% N) or SULPHOMIN (rich in sulfur and organic matter) are increasingly demanded in markets where soil health and micronutrient deficiencies are critical.

Urea Fertilizer Trade Routes and Logistics

The efficiency of urea fertilizer exports is shaped by shipping routes, port infrastructure, and freight costs. In 2024, the main trade corridors include:

Middle East to South Asia: A critical route supplying India, the world’s largest urea importer.
Russia to Europe and Latin America: Leveraging Black Sea and Baltic ports.
China to Southeast Asia and Brazil: Meeting high seasonal demand for cash crops.
North Africa to Europe: Short transit times from Egypt give a competitive edge.

Logistics challenges such as rising freight costs, container shortages, and geopolitical tensions have made efficiency more important than ever. To optimize fertilizer blends during distribution, many importers now pair bulk urea shipments with high-value specialty fertilizers such as Ugarit 10-65-10 (high phosphorus) or Super DKP (high potassium) to meet crop-specific requirements.

Economic Impact of Urea Fertilizer Exports

Urea fertilizer exports contribute significantly to the GDP of producing nations, creating jobs, generating foreign exchange, and enhancing trade balances. For example:

Russia earns billions annually from fertilizer exports, second only to its energy sector.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia use fertilizer revenues to diversify their economies beyond hydrocarbons.
Egypt leverages urea fertilizer exports to finance domestic agricultural modernization.

At the farm level, affordable access to urea fertilizer boosts crop yields, reduces food insecurity, and stabilizes agricultural incomes. Complementary products like Ugarit Beet (with zinc, copper, molybdenum, and magnesium) or Ugarit Grapes (targeted micronutrient solutions) further enhance crop-specific productivity.

Changes in Urea Fertilizer Export Rankings

Global fertilizer markets are dynamic, and 2024 has witnessed notable changes in export rankings:

China has slightly reduced exports due to tighter domestic supply regulations, allowing other nations to expand market share.
Egypt has risen in the rankings, capitalizing on new production facilities and strategic export agreements.
Indonesia has emerged as a stronger player, improving its logistics infrastructure.
Russia has maintained strong exports despite geopolitical challenges, with more shipments redirected to Asia.

These shifts highlight the resilience of global trade networks and the importance of diversification. Importers increasingly demand nutrient-rich blends beyond urea fertilizer alone, which has driven attention to advanced solutions such as Biofast Gel (balanced NPK with humic and fulvic acids) and Ugarit Multi (providing potassium, sulfur, and calcium in liquid form).

Practical Applications of Urea Fertilizer

To fully grasp the relevance of urea fertilizer, it’s important to understand its practical agricultural role. Urea, with a chemical formula of CO(NH?)?, provides a concentrated nitrogen source (46% N) essential for vegetative growth. However, its efficiency depends on proper management:

Application Timing: Applying during active crop growth minimizes volatilization losses.
Soil Compatibility: Works best in neutral to slightly acidic soils.
Integration with Micronutrients: Pairing urea fertilizer with sulfur, potassium, and trace elements prevents soil depletion.

Farmers worldwide increasingly combine bulk urea fertilizer with advanced formulations such as:

SULFOMIX – Enhances sulfur, iron, zinc, and boron availability.
Ugarit 40-10-10 + TE – High nitrogen suspension with balanced P and K for cereals.
Sulforex 80 + S – High sulfur solution for oilseeds and sulfur-demanding crops.

This integrated approach ensures sustainable productivity while maintaining soil fertility.

Conclusion: Building Resilient Fertilizer Strategies

As of 2024, the global urea fertilizer trade continues to shape agricultural productivity and economic stability. Leading exporters like China, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt dominate supply chains, while emerging nations like Indonesia are reshaping the competitive landscape. Beyond urea fertilizer itself, advanced solutions such as yarafert products, SULFOMIX, Biofast, and Ugarit specialty formulations play a critical role in achieving balanced nutrition and long-term soil health.

? To stay ahead in the evolving fertilizer market, explore our full range of innovative products designed to complement traditional urea fertilizer. Contact our expert team today to discover the best solutions for your crops and optimize your agricultural yields in 2024 and beyond.