Consumption of inorganic fertilizers
This data set contains data on the total consumption of inorganic (or mineral) fertilisers - in tonnes of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) - reported by countries or estimated by Eurostat (data for some MS have been estimated in some cases up to 2018). Nutrients, such as N and P, are absorbed from the soil by plants, for their growth. They mainly come in the form of mineral - inorganic - fertilisers, which are widely used in agriculture to optimise production, and organic fertilisers such as manure. While N and P mineral fertilisers greatly enhance crop production, their excessive use may lead to losses of these nutrients to the environment, contributing to environmental pollution. N and P behave differently in terms of their availability for loss from the agricultural system. N is highly soluble with limited build-up in the soils, and research shows a positive relationship between application rate and nitrate loss from the soil root zone. P losses from land occur due to soil erosion and agricultural run-off. Historic over-fertilisation of P can build up soil P saturation, in which case even negligible new fertiliser inputs may increase pollution. For statistical concepts and definition, see the reference metadata: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/aei_fm_usefert_esms.htm
Definition:
Not available
Food system outcome type: environmental impacts
Category: FertilizerUse
Unit(s) of measurement description:
Tonnes of N and of P
Unit of measurement:
- Not specified
Supply chain components: