Urea Market By Product Type (Granular Urea, Prilled Urea, Liquid Urea), By Application (Fertilizers, Feed Additives, Industrial Applications), and By End-User (Agriculture, Chemicals, Animal Feed); Global Insights & Forecast (2024 - 2030)

As per Intent Market Research, the Urea Market was valued at USD 76.7 Billion in 2024-e and will surpass USD 102.6 Billion by 2030; growing at a CAGR of 5.0% during 2025-2030.

Granular Urea Is Largest Product Type Due to Widespread Use in Agriculture

The urea market is driven by its significant role in agriculture, industrial applications, and animal feed, with granular urea being the dominant product type. Granular urea holds the largest share in the market due to its effectiveness, ease of handling, and widespread use in fertilizers. Urea is one of the most commonly used nitrogen-based fertilizers globally, providing essential nutrients that enhance crop growth. Granular urea is particularly favored in agriculture for its high nitrogen content, long shelf life, and ability to be easily distributed through spreading equipment, making it ideal for large-scale farming.

Agricultural growth, particularly in emerging economies, is driving the demand for granular urea as a cost-effective and efficient fertilizer. The continued reliance on urea fertilizers to boost crop yields for both food production and biofuel crops will ensure that granular urea remains the largest product type in the urea market. Additionally, the granules are highly versatile, suited for a wide range of farming practices, including crop spraying and broadcasting, further solidifying their market dominance.

Fertilizers Application Is Fastest Growing Due to Increasing Demand for Agricultural Productivity

The fertilizers application segment is the fastest growing in the urea market, driven by the increasing global demand for food and the need to improve agricultural productivity. As the global population continues to rise, the demand for efficient, high-yield fertilizers has surged, with urea being a key ingredient due to its high nitrogen content, which is essential for plant growth. Urea-based fertilizers are widely used for their effectiveness in promoting rapid crop growth and enhancing soil fertility.

Farmers across the world, especially in developing regions, are increasingly turning to urea-based fertilizers to address food security challenges. As agricultural practices become more mechanized and modern, the efficiency of urea as a fertilizer in both small-scale and large-scale farming operations continues to drive its adoption. The fertilizer application segment is expected to see sustained growth, with urea playing a pivotal role in meeting global food demand, making it the fastest growing segment in the urea market.

Agriculture End-User Is Largest Due to Dominant Use in Fertilizer Production

The agriculture sector is the largest end-user of urea, owing to its widespread use as a nitrogenous fertilizer. Urea is crucial for increasing crop yields, improving soil quality, and ensuring food production meets the needs of a growing global population. As agriculture remains the backbone of economies worldwide, the demand for urea in the sector continues to grow, especially in regions that rely heavily on intensive farming to sustain local and global markets.

In addition to traditional agricultural practices, the rise of precision agriculture, which focuses on optimizing crop inputs and yields, has further fueled the use of urea fertilizers. The increasing trend toward sustainable farming and soil health is also contributing to the sustained dominance of agriculture as the largest end-user of urea. As global agricultural practices evolve, the demand for urea in the agriculture sector is expected to maintain its position as the leading end-user.

Asia Pacific Is Largest Region Due to High Agricultural Demand and Production Capacity

Asia Pacific is the largest region in the urea market, driven by its extensive agricultural activities and large-scale production of urea fertilizers. Countries like China, India, and Indonesia are among the top consumers and producers of urea, using it primarily in agriculture to meet the food demands of their vast populations. The region's high dependence on urea fertilizers for crop production ensures that Asia Pacific dominates the global urea market.

In addition to agricultural demand, Asia Pacific's significant production capacity for urea, with major urea manufacturing facilities in China and India, further strengthens its leadership in the market. The region's ongoing agricultural expansion, combined with the growing need for improved crop yields, positions Asia Pacific as a key player in the urea market, with continued growth expected as both production and consumption rise.

Leading Companies and Competitive Landscape

The urea market is highly competitive, with major players such as CF Industries, Yara International, Nutrien, and India’s National Fertilizers Ltd. leading the market. These companies dominate the production of urea and are continually innovating to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of their products.

The competitive landscape is also shaped by mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships as companies aim to enhance their global reach, particularly in emerging markets. Additionally, key players are focusing on reducing the environmental impact of urea production through the development of new technologies that minimize emissions and improve nutrient release efficiency. As demand for urea continues to grow, particularly in agriculture, these companies are well-positioned to meet the increasing global need for nitrogenous fertilizers.

Recent Developments:

• Yara International ASA launched a new range of urea-based fertilizers aimed at improving nutrient efficiency for farmers in Asia.
• CF Industries Holdings, Inc. expanded its urea production capacity to meet growing demand in the agricultural sector.
• The Mosaic Company introduced a more efficient urea product for industrial applications, focusing on reducing environmental impact.
• Nutrien Ltd. entered into a partnership to promote sustainable farming practices with the use of enhanced urea fertilizers.
• OCI N.V. signed a long-term agreement for the supply of urea to the Middle Eastern agricultural market.

List of Leading Companies:

• Yara International ASA
• CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
• The Mosaic Company
• Nutrien Ltd.
• OCI N.V.
• Koch Industries, Inc.
• EuroChem Group
• Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO)
• Haifa Group
• Coromandel International Ltd.
• IFFCO Group
• SABIC
• Hubei Xinyangfeng Fertilizer Co., Ltd.
• India Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO)
• Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)

Report Scope: