Overall market risk: In August 2025, the West African fertilizer market remained broadly stable, supported by strong import flows, government subsidy programs, and international interventions that sustained supply during the peak of the farming season. Availability was generally adequate across most markets, though blending operations in some areas faced pressure from limited raw material inflows. Price dynamics varied: while urea recorded slight declines in certain markets, improving affordability for farmers in the late application window, NPK products largely remained high or stable, reflecting ongoing demand and tighter supply conditions. Subsidy measures and targeted support programs, including input assistance for cash crops, continued to cushion farmers against higher costs, but access remained uneven, especially where logistics and ex-factory costs were elevated. Overall, the region entered the latter part of the growing season with stable supply conditions, though market outcomes continued to depend on the balance between government support, import volumes, and international price and freight trends.
Côte d’Ivoire: In August 2025, Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural season reached its peak, sustaining strong fertilizer demand, which has been well met by distributors maintaining sufficient stocks across key production zones. Cumulative imports surpassed 480,000 MT by the end of July—30% above the five-year average—ensuring ample availability and smooth market functioning. On the open market, fertilizer prices remained stable, with urea trading at 21,000 FCFA ($35) per 50kg bag, NPK 0-23-19 at 19,500 FCFA ($33), and NPK 15-15-15 at 22,000 FCFA ($37). In the cotton sector, the government confirmed support of 25.3 billion FCFA to maintain the seed cotton purchase price and stabilize fertilizer transfer prices at 17,050 FCFA ($28) for urea and 18,100 FCFA ($30) for NPK 15-15-15 +6S+1B, unchanged from 2024. Overall, the market outlook remains favorable, though stakeholders remain alert to potential risks from international commodity price movements and rising logistics costs.
Ghana: In August 2025, Ghana’s fertilizer market experienced modest price declines that eased input costs for farmers, with urea down 8%, ammonium sulphate 12.5%, and NPK 10%, improving affordability for key crops such as maize, rice, and cocoa. By the end of August, fertilizer imports had surpassed 400,000 MT, with volumes projected to exceed 500,000 MT by year-end, supported by government distribution programs and strengthened cocoa sector initiatives, including free fertilizer provision and a 4% increase in the farmgate price. Despite global supply chain pressures from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ghana’s fertilizer imports remain resilient, with Russia supplying about 24% of volumes so far in 2025. Overall, the combination of reduced prices, strong import flows, and government interventions is expected to support higher fertilizer adoption and sustain crop productivity across the country.
Nigeria: In August 2025, Nigeria remained in the peak of the rainy season, with active farming sustaining fertilizer demand, though high prices and persistent scarcity of NPK products continued to constrain access and expose farmers to risks of adulterated supplies. While NPK fertilizers such as 15-15-15 and 20-10-10 remained relatively stable at ₦1,065,380 ($692) and ₦942,000 ($612) per ton respectively, they stayed high and less affordable for most farmers. Urea prices, however, declined slightly by 2.4% to ₦842,540 ($548) per ton, reflecting improved availability and a seasonal shift in application as crops mature. On the supply side, no imports of raw materials for blending were recorded in August, further straining local production capacity and tightening availability. Overall, the market shows a mixed trend of stable but costly NPK products and modestly easing urea prices, underscoring the need to address supply bottlenecks to stabilize farmer access.
Availability and Affordability: In August 2025, fertilizer availability across West Africa remained generally stable, supported by steady import flows, government subsidies, and international programs that ensured farmers could access key products during the peak farming season. Nigeria was the exception, experiencing mild scarcity driven by limited raw material inflows for blending. Affordability, however, varied across the region: some countries benefited from stable prices, while others faced higher costs linked to raw material shortages, rising factory gate prices, and logistics bottlenecks. Overall, while supply conditions were relatively steady, farmer access continued to depend largely on policy interventions and effective supply chain management.
Distribution: In August 2025, fertilizer transport across West Africa remained largely efficient, with Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana reporting smooth port operations and reliable inland distribution. Cross-border flows were stable overall, though movement in Northeast Nigeria continued to face restrictions due to insecurity in the region.