Les livraisons d’engrais en France

• Nitrogen fertilizers are synthesized mainly through the use of natural gas (with corresponding energy consumption of around 1.1 Mtep in 2017). • Between 1973 and 2017, the quantities of mineral nitrogen delivered increased by one-third from 1.6 to 2.2 Mt while fertilizable land [2] decreased by 11% (25.8 million hectares in 2017). During the 2017/2018 season, the total quantity of nitrogen sold relative to all fertilizable land is approximately 87 kg (compared to 57 kg in 1972) - (source: UNIFA).

The quantities used amount to 140 kg per hectare on average for major crops actually fertilized (wheat, barley, rapeseed, maize, etc.) (source: 2011 cultural practices survey - SSP). The nitrogen dose applied depends on the yield target but also varies significantly by crop type. Thus, the nitrogen dose per unit of production is more than twice higher for rapeseed than for soft wheat on plots without organic fertilization.

Within the European Union, in 2017, nitrogen sales represent 11 million tonnes. France, the leading consumer, accounts for 20% of these sales ahead of Germany (15%).

Conversely, phosphates used to provide plants with a source of phosphorus are non-renewable materials facing limited stocks. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), in 2018, global phosphorus reserves would reach 70 billion tonnes (Bdt), mainly located in Morocco (50 Bdt), China (3.2 Bdt), Algeria (2.2 Bdt), Syria (1.8 Bdt) and Brazil (1.7 Bdt).

Between 1972 and 2017, phosphorus deliveries fell by nearly 80% to approximately 430,000 tonnes in 2017, or 7.3 kg of phosphorus sold per fertilizable hectare, compared to 31.5 kg in 1972.

• In 2011, only half of the major crop area received mineral phosphate fertilizers. Soft wheat and triticale received phosphate on just over one-third of the area, other crops on more than half, and grain maize in particular on more than two-thirds. As a result, mineral phosphate applications (P2O5) amount to an average of 56 kg (approximately 24 kg of phosphorus) per fertilized hectare. One-fifth of the crop area receives phosphates every year. Over a 5-year period (2007 to 2011), major crop areas received an average of 2.4 phosphate applications. (source: 2011 cultural practices survey from the statistics and forecasting service - SSP). • As with nitrogen fertilization, agricultural practices vary significantly by territory. The regions with the highest mineral phosphate applications are located on a southwest-to-northeast axis and include those that produce grain maize: Aquitaine and Alsace, where more than 80% of the area was fertilized with mineral phosphate) – (source: 2011 cultural practices survey from the statistics and forecasting service - SSP).

Within the European Union, in 2017, phosphate sales represent 2.6 million tonnes. France, the leading consumer, accounts for 16% of these sales ahead of Spain (nearly 15%).