Feeding Africa’s future: Fertilisers and chemicals in agriculture’s next frontier
Africa holds immense potential to become a global agricultural leader. With 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a fast-growing population, the continent has the resources to feed itself — and much of the world. But this vision hinges on improving agricultural productivity, which remains below global averages. One of the most effective tools to close this gap is the judicious use of fertilisers and agricultural chemicals.
When applied correctly, these inputs not only boost crop yields but also help restore depleted soils, reduce crop loss, and build climate resilience. For South Africa in particular — a country with a well-established agri-processing industry and commercial farming sector — fertilisers and agrochemicals are essential to driving growth across agricultural value chains, supporting rural development, boosting export income, and safeguarding national food security.
African Industry Reports, compiled by Who Owns Whom and offered by Sabinet provide valuable information on this sector. These reports give businesses, policymakers, and researchers in South Africa access to in-depth, relevant information while also tracking broader trends across the continent.
Unlocking agricultural growth
Despite its potential, Africa’s fertiliser sector faces challenges. Many African countries — including South Africa and Kenya — remain dependent on imported fertilisers, making them vulnerable to global price volatility and supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and port delays have all contributed to rising costs and shortages in recent years.
In South Africa, high input costs, unreliable electricity supply, and logistics constraints — especially in ports and freight rail — add to the pressure. These challenges limit access to affordable fertilisers for smallholders and drive up production costs for commercial farmers.
Nonetheless, industry shifts offer hope. Investment in local fertiliser production is rising, with interest in sustainable ammonia production, phosphate rock mining, and bio-based fertilisers gaining traction. At the same time, precision agriculture, smart application technologies, and biostimulants are helping farmers get more out of every hectare — and every bag of fertiliser.
Navigating policy and market dynamics
Fertiliser policy in South Africa is shaped by a mix of national strategies and regional trade frameworks. As a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), South Africa stands to benefit from reduced tariff barriers and improved cross-border trade in fertiliser inputs. Government support for emerging farmers and co-operatives also plays a vital role in expanding access to critical inputs.
However, policy alignment, regulatory certainty, and environmental compliance remain key concerns. The safe use of agricultural chemicals, adherence to environmental laws, and product quality control are increasingly important as South Africa seeks to meet its climate and sustainability targets while growing its agrifood exports.
African Industry Reports, available via Sabinet Discover, report on these developments. Whether it is regulatory shifts, policy updates, or trade movements, the reports provide actionable intelligence for anyone operating in the sector.
Feeding Africa’s future: Fertilisers and chemicals in agriculture’s next frontier
Outlook: Towards sustainable local solutions
The next five years will be crucial. Fertiliser demand in Africa is projected to rise steadily, driven by population growth, changing diets, and the urgency of building resilient food systems. For South Africa, where food inflation and energy insecurity intersect, building more localised and sustainable fertiliser supply chains is both a risk-mitigation strategy and an opportunity for economic growth.
The emergence of African players with the technical and financial capacity to develop local manufacturing plants — supported by public-private partnerships — is a promising trend. These developments will help reduce import dependence, lower costs, and improve availability, especially in underserved provinces and regions.
At the same time, smart fertiliser use is essential to ensuring long-term soil health. With many South African soils already showing signs of nutrient depletion, sustainable nutrient management will become a cornerstone of future agricultural policy and practice.
Informed decisions start with trusted intelligence
Whether you’re a fertiliser manufacturer, policy advisor, commercial farmer, researcher or agri-investor, access to reliable information is essential. African Industry Reports offer just that. These reports cover the full industry value chain — from input sourcing and production to pricing, distribution, regulation, and environmental compliance.
With over 700 reports available, African Industry Reports is an indispensable tool for understanding not just what is happening in a sector — but why, and where the opportunities lie. Each report offers key information about market dynamics, risk management, compliance, and supply chains. The reports also outline the legal frameworks governing their respective industries, making this a vital resource for local and international analysts, decision-makers, and academic researchers alike.
Sabinet Discover: A gateway to strategic industry reports
Through its distribution partnership with Who Owns Whom, Sabinet offers annual subscriptions or once-off E-commerce access to these in-depth industry reports via the Sabinet Discover platform. African Industry Reports provides seamless access for local and international users to detailed information on South African industries, as well as sectors in countries such as Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Reports focused on South African industries are also linked to relevant legislation and policy documents for added context.
In an increasingly complex agricultural environment, African Industry Reports support data-backed decisions that promote food security, market competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
To explore the latest reports or request a demo, visit Sabinet Discover or contact info@sabinet.co.za.