Chart: China’s Fertilizer Consumption Peaked a Decade Ago

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Chart: China’s Fertilizer Consumption Peaked a Decade Ago

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• China’s fertilizer consumption peaked in 2015 at over 50 million tonnes, and has been in steady decline since.
• Government policy, efficiency incentives, and a pivot to sustainable agriculture are key drivers behind the drop.
• China’s pesticide use is also following a similar downward trend—a promising sign for global environmental goals.

Fertilizer use plays a vital role in modern agriculture, but too much of it can have serious environmental downsides, from soil degradation to runoff pollution. In the case of China, the world’s second most populous country and one of its largest food producers, the trajectory of fertilizer consumption has taken a notable turn in recent years.

According to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) visualized by Our World in Data, China’s fertilizer consumption peaked in 2015 and has since declined significantly.

At its peak, China was using over 50 million tonnes of fertilizer annually. But since then, usage has dropped by nearly 20%—a striking reversal after decades of uninterrupted growth. The most recent data (2022) shows consumption falling below 40 million tonnes for the first time since the early 2000s.

What’s Driving the Drop?

The sharp pivot in China’s fertilizer use isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a coordinated policy shift by the Chinese government starting in the mid-2010s. As outlined in analysis by the World Economic Forum, the government introduced a series of reforms encouraging “zero growth” in fertilizer and pesticide use, while also promoting precision agriculture.

Incentives for soil testing, organic substitutes, and the efficient placement of fertilizer helped reduce overall inputs without harming yields. In fact, despite the drop in fertilizer usage, China has continued to boost crop output—demonstrating that smarter farming doesn’t require more chemicals.

Environmental Implications

This reduction is good news for both China and the planet. Overuse of synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers contributes to pollution of water systems, greenhouse gas emissions, and the degradation of cropland.

As the chart above shows, the decline in fertilizer use is also being mirrored by a similar trend in pesticide use, which began declining in China around the same time.

Looking Ahead

China’s success in decoupling fertilizer use from agricultural productivity provides a potential blueprint for other nations grappling with environmental concerns. As the world looks to feed a growing population with fewer ecological costs, the lessons from China’s past decade may prove invaluable.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

Check out the full data story: Population Growth, Crop Production, and Fertilizer Use Since 1960 on the Voronoi app.