Arabfields, Nadia Fatima Zahra, Arabfields, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — Côte d’Ivoire’s fertilizer imports reached a record 789,500 tonnes in 2025, highlighting the growing pressure on the country to secure agricultural inputs as farmers seek higher yields and the government pushes to strengthen food production.

The volume represents a sharp increase from the annual average of about 496,426 tonnes recorded between 2020 and 2024, according to customs data. It was also significantly above the more than 570,000 tonnes imported in 2024, underscoring the acceleration in demand for crop nutrients.

For farmers across the country, fertilizer remains one of the most closely watched costs at the start of each planting season. Higher availability can support yields, but the dependence on imported products also leaves producers exposed to international prices, freight costs and changes in domestic taxation.

Côte d’Ivoire does not produce the mineral raw materials needed for fertilizer manufacturing on a large scale. The country therefore relies heavily on imports, with products such as urea, potassium chloride and NPK blends forming an important part of agricultural supply. Some imported materials are blended locally before reaching farms.

The surge in imports comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to expand agricultural output beyond its traditional export crops and improve food security. Demand is being supported by rice, maize and other food crops, alongside major commercial activities such as cocoa, cotton, cashew and rubber.

The scale of the increase also reflects the broader recovery in fertilizer use after the disruption caused by the global fertilizer and energy crisis. Côte d’Ivoire recorded a strong rebound in fertilizer imports in earlier years as prices eased and demand recovered.

But the country’s growing dependence on imported fertilizer is becoming a policy issue. In 2026, authorities and industry players have been discussing measures to ease pressure on the sector, including changes to taxation. A 9% value-added tax on fertilizer inputs has added to concerns about the final cost faced by farmers and agricultural businesses.

The challenge is particularly important because fertilizer prices do not only affect farmers. They can also influence production costs across the food chain, from farm-gate prices to wholesale markets and ultimately household food bills.

If the pace of demand seen over the past two years continues, Côte d’Ivoire could remain close to, or exceed, the 800,000-tonne threshold in the next major import cycle. A sustained increase would place additional emphasis on port logistics, storage capacity, local blending and the diversification of suppliers.

The outlook will also depend on international fertilizer prices and shipping conditions. Recent disruptions in global trade have shown how quickly geopolitical tensions can affect the availability and cost of agricultural inputs, particularly in import-dependent African markets.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the record is therefore more than a trade statistic. It points to an agricultural sector becoming increasingly intensive and commercially oriented, while also exposing the cost of relying on overseas supplies.

The immediate priority for policymakers will be to ensure that fertilizer reaches farmers at affordable prices. Over the longer term, expanding local blending capacity, improving distribution and developing more efficient fertilizer use could help reduce the vulnerability of producers to international market shocks.

With imports already approaching 800,000 tonnes, the direction of travel is clear. Unless domestic production of fertilizer inputs expands significantly or farmers adopt more efficient nutrient-management practices, demand for imported fertilizer is likely to remain high through the coming seasons.