Cultivating Excellence Fact Book 2015–2016

australia, asia and pacific rim markets
Australia
The $49 billion farm sector in Australia produces a variety of
crops including grains, vegetables, cotton, sugarcane and
pasture land for livestock. With a relatively small population
of 24 million, Australia is a key exporter of wheat and barley
into Asia and the Middle East. The three basic categories
of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphate and potash) are all used
as crop inputs in Australia. Demand for specialty products
has increased in recent years and many suppliers now offer
such products to suit the specific purposes of individual
end users. Australian fertilizer demand growth is expected
to be relatively flat compared to historic trends.
China
China has the largest population in the world, with 1.4 billion
residents representing 19 percent of the global population.
China has 8 percent of the world’s arable land with
approximately 107 million hectares. China has the largest
agricultural production in the world by volume, and is the
world’s largest fertilizer market, accounting for nearly 30
percent of the world’s demand. Rising annual incomes of
China’s population are driving an improvement in diets and
increasing the amount of grain, dairy, fruits, vegetables and
meat consumed in China. China has increased cropping
area in recent years and its stated goal is to remain selfsufficient
in grain production. Given a finite arable land
base, grain yields will have to increase to keep pace with
demand growth.
India
Forecasts indicate that by 2025 India will become the fifth
largest consumer economy in the world. While urbanization
has not occurred as fast as some parts of Asia, the
urban population is expected to grow significantly in the
coming years. With this, comes a rising middle class which
is expected to surpass that of China over the next 10 years.
India’s food consumption will increase with growth in
population and income. This will require a corresponding
increase in agricultural production, which in turn will drive
increased demand for crop nutrients.
India has approximately 156 million hectares of arable
land. The major crops in India are rice, wheat, millet, cotton
and pulses. Fertilizer consumption in 2014 was 16.8, 5.7
and 2.4 million metric tonnes for nitrogen, phosphate and
potash, respectively. In 2014, crop protection product sales
were $1.8 billion and seed sales were $0.7 billion.
Indian agriculture is highly regulated as both fertilizer and
crop prices are controlled by the government.
In 2014, crop protection product sales were $5.2 billion and
seed sales were $0.2 billion.
agrium australia retail
Landmark
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Distributor of fertilizer and crop chemicals within Australia;
Provides a wide range of agribusiness products and
services to farmers;
Advisory services: agronomic, animal nutrition and whole
farm planning;
198 retail centers across Australia.
Source: IFA Fertilizer Consumption 2012/13–2017/18 Country Reports, June 2013
Phillips McDougall AMIS Global
18 Agrium FACT BOOK 2015–2016