Increase in the Use of Mineral Fertilizers in EU Agriculture

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European agriculture is recording a renewed rise in the use of mineral fertilizers, confirming the sector’s continued dependence on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. According to the latest Eurostat data, 9.8 million tonnes of mineral fertilizers were used across the EU in 2024, marking a 6% increase compared with 2023, when total consumption reached 9.2 million tonnes. Despite this upward shift, usage remains 15.8% lower than the peak observed in 2017.

The increase is driven primarily by nitrogen-based fertilizers, whose use reached 8.9 million tonnes, reflecting an annual change of +5.8%. The largest users remain France (1.8 million tonnes), Germany (1.1 million tonnes) and Spain (0.9 million tonnes) — countries with strong agricultural output and high nutrient requirements.

Although fertilizers contribute significantly to productivity gains, their excessive use continues to raise concerns. Nutrient runoff leads to water and soil pollution, affecting ecosystems and undermining the long-term sustainability of agriculture. European policies are increasingly oriented toward balancing productivity with environmental protection, emphasizing sustainable fertilization practices and reducing nitrogen losses.

The trend emerging in 2026 indicates that Europe is entering a new phase of adjustment. Agriculture remains a robust productive sector, yet it is now required to redefine its relationship with soil and natural resources. Technological innovation, precision fertilization, and scientific monitoring of inputs are expected to shape the strategic direction of the next decade.