172868_Fertilizer Industry Handbook_with notes

Nitrogen consumption growth is expected to be higher than globalpopulation growthPopulation growth and economic growth are the main drivers for increasedfertilizer consumption. Industrial consumption of nitrogen is mainly driven byeconomic growth and environmental legislation.Global grain consumption growing steadilyOver the last 5 decades, grain consumption has increased by 2.1% a year onaverage while population has grown by 1.6% per year.Dips in grains consumption have only been seen on four occasions, and thesewere related to supply issues rather than demand issues.Per capita arable land available for cultivation is decreasing, while demand forfood keeps growingThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) confirmsthat a key challenge for agriculture is to increase productivity. Key ways ofachieving this are by replacing nutrients removed with the harvest, improvingresource management, breeding new crop varieties and expanding agriculturalknowledge.4950