Overall market risk: In December 2024, West Africa’s fertilizer market experienced varied trends influenced by seasonal and regional dynamics. Across the region, the market reflected weak demand due to ongoing harvest and post-harvest activities, although off-season crops like vegetables and rice kept fertilizer use steady in some locations. The start of the dry season farming in some areas supported fertilizer application. Subsidized fertilizers remained a key feature, with prices relatively stable across most countries, ensuring accessibility for farmers.
There was smuggling of subsidized fertilizers, and currency fluctuations in some locations. Some middlemen leveraged favorable exchange rates for input purchases. Increased use of liquid fertilizers by vegetable growers highlighted changing farming practices. Logistical challenges and high costs persisted, despite government efforts to improve infrastructure and support smallholders in some of the locations. Meanwhile, dependency on imports left some markets vulnerable to global price shocks and logistical disruptions.
Overall, the region showed resilience in ensuring fertilizer availability, but issues like affordability, smuggling, and infrastructural limitations require further attention to support sustainable agricultural growth.
Côte d’Ivoire: In December 2024, the fertilizer market remained inactive with low demand, due to ongoing harvest and post-harvest activities. Off-season crops, particularly market gardening, and irrigated crops, kept demand steady. The return of rains supported fertilizer application for off-season crops. Fertilizer supply remained sufficient, with imports surpassing 600,000 MT, well above the estimated annual demand of 350,000 MT. Fertilizer prices remained stable, with Urea at CFA 21,000 (35 USD) per 50kg, and NPK 15-15-15 at CFA 22,000 (37 USD). Cotton fertilizers also saw no price changes. Despite low demand, the supply chain remained robust, with main importers ensuring adequate stock levels. The impact of the Ukraine-Russia crisis was minimal, with alternative sourcing strategies maintaining a steady supply.
Gambia: December is a pivotal month in the agricultural calendar, marked by high trade activity and input purchases for dry-season rice and horticultural farming. Despite stable fertilizer prices at D1,100 per 50kg bag, the rising GMD exchange rate impacts affordability, while Senegalese buyers exploit cross-border price differences. The use of liquid fertilizers is increasing among vegetable growers. Subsidized fertilizers remain accessible, with unsold stocks sufficient to meet dry-season demand, although smuggling through border markets persists. Nursery preparations for rice and vegetables are underway, supported by manure used by commercial farmers to meet export demands. Government initiatives and projects like ROOTS and GRAV continue to aid key rice-growing regions. Global disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war, including rising transportation costs and maritime challenges, have affected fertilizer distribution. Despite this, the current stock levels are adequate for dry-season irrigation, ensuring availability through agents, vendors, and large enterprises.
Ghana: In December, fertilizer prices in the country remained steady for products like Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, and NPK 23-10-5, reflecting reduced off-season farming demand. Prices stood at GHS 288.00 ($19.59)for Ammonium Sulphate, GHS 422.69 ($28.76) for Urea, and GHS 524.55 ($35.69) for NPK 23-10-5, with slight dollar variations due to the appreciation of the Ghana cedi. Fertilizers were consistently available throughout the year, with sufficient stocks reported across retail shops nationwide. Farmers have begun early purchases for the 2025 planting season, anticipating potential price increases. Despite the absence of major tenders, supply stability has been maintained. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has not disrupted fertilizer imports, ensuring uninterrupted availability.
Liberia: In December 2023, Liberia’s fertilizer market experienced stable prices due to reduced farming activities during the mid-dry season. Fertilizer demand remained low as farmers focused on harvests and land preparation, affecting agrodealer sales. Prices for NPK 15-15-15 and Urea ranged between $43.65 and $48.50 per 50kg bag, unchanged from the previous month. Despite sufficient supply, logistical challenges and reliance on imports kept fertilizer costs high compared to neighboring countries. The exchange rate, now at USD 1 to LD 180, influenced market transactions, predominantly conducted in U.S. dollars, posing accessibility barriers for many farmers. Urban centers like Monrovia reported adequate stocks, but rural distribution faced delays and higher transportation costs. Some farmers near borders sourced fertilizers from neighboring countries with better supply chains. The Ukraine-Russia conflict continued to disrupt global fertilizer markets, causing reduced imports, higher prices, and strained supply chains in Liberia. Efforts to enhance infrastructure, streamline distribution, and implement subsidies are crucial to improving access and affordability for smallholder farmers and ensuring agricultural productivity and food security.
Nigeria: From November to December, dry-season farming activities began in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region, leading to an increase in fertilizer demand and a slight rise in fertilizer prices. NPK prices in the north increased due to the onset of dry-season farming, while prices in the south remained stable due to lower demand. Urea prices declined slightly, following a reduction in ex-factory prices. In December, the average retail price of Urea decreased by 0.5%, while NPK 15-15-15 rose by 0.2%, and NPK 20-10-10 saw a marginal increase of 0.06%. Fertilizer availability remained stable with no reported shortages, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict had minimal impact on Nigeria’s fertilizer supply chain.
Senegal: In December 2024, following a review of the crop year’s performance, lessons were learned, and attention shifted to planning for the next season. Both public and private sectors faced limitations, especially in the subsidy program for small-scale producers. While the production season was largely successful, subsidies remain insufficient, covering less than 40% of farmers’ needs. On the open market, fertilizer prices showed some changes, with Urea stable at CFA 18,000 and NPK 6-20-10 rising by 38.33%. Magnesium Sulfate and Potassium Sulfate prices decreased, while Zinc Sulfate remained unchanged. For the 2024 dry season, 20,500 MT of Urea and 6,000 MT of DAP are available, with distribution underway. The cold off-season campaign has also secured significant volumes of fertilizers, such as NPK 9-23-30, NPK 10-10-20, and Urea. Despite the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, fertilizer supply in Senegal remains stable, and early preparations have mitigated potential risks to availability.
Sierra Leone: As 2024 ends, Sierra Leone’s fertilizer market faces significant challenges driven by global and domestic factors. The country’s heavy reliance on imports exposes it to price volatility and supply disruptions, exacerbated by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has raised global fertilizer prices and freight costs. Local production or blending facilities are absent, increasing dependence on international suppliers and straining supply chains. Fertilizer prices remain stable but vary by region, with Urea and NPK 15:15:15 priced between NLe 1,000 ($44) and NLe 1,750 ($78) per 50kg bag. Availability is inconsistent, with urban centers like Freetown, Bo, and Makeni having better stocks than rural areas. High transportation costs and logistical challenges hinder distribution to remote regions, leaving many rural farmers underserved. Despite a 9% reduction in fuel prices, fertilizer costs have not decreased, likely due to inflation, poor infrastructure, and supply chain rigidity. Proposed solutions include establishing regional fertilizer blending plants to reduce reliance on imports and improve supply chain resilience. Improved infrastructure and rural distribution strategies are also crucial for ensuring equitable access and supporting smallholder farmers.
Togo: In December 2024, fertilizer demand in Togo decreased overall due to harvesting and post-harvest activities, though off-season crops in the south, such as vegetables and irrigated rice, maintained moderate demand. Urea and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizers saw consistent use, with the supply remaining ample. The country had over 62,000 MT of Urea and 4,000 MT of NPK 15-15-15 in stock, ensuring sufficient coverage for off-season farming. These fertilizers, sold at subsidized prices of CFA 18,000 (around $30) for food crops and CFA 14,000 ($23) for cotton, were distributed through 232 sales outlets across 400 counties. Demand remained low in the north due to ongoing harvests, while the south continued to use moderate amounts of fertilizers. AgroBio NPK 4-2-2 organic fertilizer was also available in small quantities (10 MT), supporting agroecological practices in the south. Togo remained largely unaffected by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, with no significant disruptions to fertilizer availability, which exceeded 66,000 MT to meet off-season needs.
Availability and Affordability: As the dry season starts in West Africa, fertilizer demand declines, leading to moderate price stability in many areas. Supply remains sufficient, with slight price reductions in some countries due to reduced demand. However, fertilizer affordability is a major concern, driven by inflation and currency fluctuations. Government subsidies and imports have helped stabilize prices in some regions. Despite this, high transport costs and reliance on imports continue to limit broader affordability, especially for smallholder farmers. These challenges are compounded by logistical issues in rural areas. The overall situation reflects ongoing difficulties in making fertilizers accessible and affordable across the region.
Distribution: In December 2024, fertilizer importation and logistics across West Africa were largely smooth, with minimal disruptions and border restrictions. Major entry points facilitated the transport of large fertilizer quantities to markets. In Nigeria, logistics were mostly efficient, though the Northeast region faced challenges due to ongoing security concerns, disrupting supply chains. The National Port Authority played a key role in ensuring the smooth clearance of imports, supporting steady fertilizer flow across the different countries.