Key Insights• Japan is almost entirely dependent on imported nitrogen fertiliser, with domestic production covering only about 3% of urea demand. The country sources virtually all its nitrogen fertiliser requirements from abroad, and fertiliser costs account for approximately 60% of total fertiliser expenses making the agricultural sector acutely vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price volatility.• The supply structure for nitrogen fertilisers has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last few years. China's share of Japan's urea imports collapsed from 27% to just 3% following China's 2021 export controls, while Malaysia now accounts for 74% of all urea imported into Japan. Simultaneously, potassium chloride imports from Russia and Belarus have been entirely eliminated.• The prolonged tensions in the Middle East particularly the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne fertiliser trade passes are now driving sharp price increases for Japanese farmers. JA Zen-Noh, Japan's national federation of agricultural cooperatives, announced that autumn fertiliser prices will rise by up to 14.5%, with imported urea seeing the steepest increase.• The Japanese government has responded with unprecedented measures, including a designated Cabinet task force and a reinforced subsidy fund totalling ¥1.08 trillion (approximately US$6.87 billion) to cover 100% of petroleum product costs exceeding a set target price. Agriculture has been placed on the Cabinet agenda, with the Prime Minister himself directing that strategic supply chains including fertilisers and food packaging must be comprehensively reviewed and stabilized.Market Research Report• According to the research report, "Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market Research Report, 2031," published by Actual Market Research, the Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market is anticipated to grow at more than 9.31% CAGR from 2026 to 2031.• The autumn fertiliser season is set to become one of the most expensive on record.

JA Zen-Noh announced that fertilisers sold between June and October will be priced up to 14.5% higher than spring fertilisers. Imported urea will rise by 14.5%, compounded by a 5% increase for compound fertilisers. Prices for potassium chloride are planned to increase by 7.3% and calcium superphosphate by 4.9%. This marks the second significant price surge in the current year, following a 17.5% increase in urea prices from February to March 2026.• The price of urea one of the main types of raw material for chemical fertiliser production has been rising relentlessly. According to Japanese government data, urea per-tonne prices rose from ¥64,500 in January 2024 to ¥93,100 by March 2026, a 44% increase in just over two years. With global urea prices surging more than 40% within weeks of the Iran conflict, further increases are expected to feed through to Japanese farmers.• Fertiliser accounts for 5-17% of individual farmers' operating costs.

Rising crude oil prices are also causing increases in agricultural materials and fuel, compounding the financial pressures on farm households. The Japanese government has acknowledged that prolonged Middle East tensions could also impact global ocean freight rates, raising the possibility of further price hikes for spring fertilisers scheduled to be set in October.Policies • A dedicated Cabinet task force has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of strategic materials supply explicitly including agricultural fertilisers and food packaging inputs and to develop stabilization policies. The Prime Minister announced this task force on 31 March 2026, stating that the government would take all possible measures to ensure a stable supply of strategic materials that may face constraints.• MAFF has prioritised diplomatic engagement to secure alternative supply sources. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have visited Canada and Morocco to request supply assurances for potassium chloride and phosphoric acid, which have become difficult to source from Russia following the 2022 Ukrainian invasion. This reflects a systematic effort to diversify procurement sources away from geopolitically risky nations.• Japan successfully negotiated a contract extension with Malaysia's Petronas for urea procurement, ensuring continued access to its primary source of nitrogen fertiliser raw materials. Japan had previously agreed to import urea via a Petronas subsidiary for two years, and in May 2026, the two parties agreed to extend the arrangement.

Minister Suzuki stated that with continuing uncertainty in the Middle East, producers will need fertilisers in autumn, with concerns also extending into next year.Industry News• JA Zen-Noh, which handles approximately 55% of Japan's domestic fertiliser distribution, announced significant price increases for autumn fertilisers. Imported urea will rise by 14.5%, compound fertilisers by 5%, heavy superphosphate by 4.5%, and potassium chloride by 7.3%. The organisation cited robust demand, the impact of a weaker yen, and the surge in raw material prices driven by Middle East tensions as the primary factors behind the price revision.• Japan's first green ammonia plant, based on KBR's K-GreeN process, became fully operational in early 2026. The plant, owned by JGC Holdings Corporation and sponsored by NEDO, produces 4 metric tonnes per day of green ammonia using hydrogen generated from a nearby photovoltaic plant. The ammonia will be used for denitrification in power plants. KBR has licensed more than 260 grassroots ammonia plants worldwide since 1943, and this project demonstrates that renewable‑based ammonia production is achievable today.• Tsubame BHB has been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for a project to produce nitrogen‑based fertilisers using green hydrogen produced in Tokyo.

Green hydrogen produced at TMG's facility in Keihinjima, Ota Ward, will be supplied to the company's pilot plant for ammonia synthesis. Tsubame BHB will use this ammonia as a raw material for the trial production of nitrogen‑based fertilisers in collaboration with partner companies. The company utilises electride catalyst technology developed by Honorary Professor Hideo Hosono of the Institute of Science Tokyo.Segment AnalysisJapan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market By Product Type• Japan relies heavily on imported urea due to limited domestic ammonia and urea manufacturing capacity. Annual domestic production is estimated at 0.15-0.30 million tons, supported by approximately 2-4 fertilizer production facilities, while imports range from 0.6-1.0 million tons annually, sourced primarily from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other Asia-Pacific suppliers. Manufacturing capacity is estimated at 0.3-0.5 million tons per year, requiring approximately 0.10-0.18 million tons of ammonia feedstock.• Ammonium nitrate contains approximately 34% nitrogen, and annual ammonia feedstock consumption is estimated at 60,000-120,000 tons. Distribution volume ranges from 0.15-0.30 million tons annually, with warehouse inventories of approximately 15,000-40,000 tons due to safety restrictions.

Japan maintains approximately 10-20 registered agricultural ammonium nitrate grades, with consumption primarily occurring in vegetable cultivation, forage crops, and specialty agriculture, totaling around 0.1-0.2 million tons annually.• Calcium Ammonium Nitrate occupies a niche position in Japan's fertilizer market, particularly in horticulture and vegetable production where controlled nitrogen release is preferred. Annual production is estimated at 0.15-0.35 million tons, supported by approximately 2-4 production and blending facilities. Imports contribute approximately 0.1-0.3 million tons annually, while exports remain limited below 50,000 tons. Calcium Ammonium Nitrate typically contains 26-28% nitrogen, with annual ammonia feedstock consumption estimated at 0.08-0.20 million tons. Distribution volume is approximately 0.25-0.55 million tons annually, supported by warehouse inventories of 25,000-70,000 tons. Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market By Form• Solid nitrogen fertilizers, including urea, ammonium sulfate, CAN, and compound fertilizers, represent the largest fertilizer form distributed in Japan. Annual product movement is estimated at 2.5-4.0 million tons, supported by approximately 1,200-1,800 storage facilities and 80-120 bulk handling terminals located near major ports such as Yokohama, Kobe, Nagoya, and Kitakyushu.

Total storage capacity for solid fertilizers is estimated at 1.5-2.5 million tons, with seasonal inventories typically ranging between 0.2-0.5 million tons.• Total liquid storage tank capacity is estimated at 0.8-1.5 million tons, with individual tank farms ranging from 500 to 10,000 tons. Japan operates approximately 500-1,000 liquid fertilizer distribution centers, supplying farms through estimated 40,000-80,000 tanker truck shipments annually. Approximately 100-180 liquid blending and formulation facilities support customized nutrient products. Annual throughput through liquid fertilizer terminals is estimated at 1.2-2.0 million tons, with liquid inventories generally maintained at 100,000-250,000 tons throughout the year. Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market By Crop Type• Oilseeds and pulses in Japan mainly include soybeans, adzuki beans, kidney beans, and peanuts, cultivated primarily in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kyushu. Total cultivated area is estimated at 350,000-500,000 hectares, with harvested area of approximately 330,000-480,000 hectares annually. Combined production volume ranges from 0.8-1.3 million tons per year, supported by approximately 120,000-180,000 farming households.• Cereals and grains are dominated by rice, wheat, barley, and feed corn, with rice accounting for the majority of cultivated land.

Total cultivated area is estimated at 3.5-4.5 million hectares, with harvested area of approximately 3.3-4.3 million hectares. Annual production volume ranges from 10-14 million tons, largely concentrated in rice-producing regions such as Hokkaido, Niigata, Akita, and Yamagata.• Fruits and vegetables constitute one of Japan's most intensive agricultural segments, including tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, citrus fruits, apples, and leafy vegetables. Cultivated area is estimated at 1.0-1.5 million hectares, while harvested area reaches 1.2-1.8 million hectares due to greenhouse and multiple cropping systems. Annual production volume is approximately 25-35 million tons. Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer Market By Application• Soil application remains the primary method for nitrogen fertilizer use in Japan, especially in rice paddies, cereal fields, vegetable farms, and orchards. Annual fertilizer application volume through soil-based methods is estimated at 2.0-3.0 million tons, covering approximately 3.5-4.5 million hectares of cultivated land. Around 900,000-1.3 million agricultural holdings utilize soil fertilization, with farmers typically conducting 2-4 application events per season through basal and top-dressing programs.• Fertigation is extensively used in greenhouse cultivation, fruit orchards, protected agriculture, and precision irrigation systems.

The irrigated area utilizing fertigation systems is estimated at 350,000-700,000 hectares, supported by approximately 250,000-500,000 fertigation installations nationwide. Annual fertilizer application volume through fertigation is estimated at 400,000-900,000 tons.Considered in this report• Historic Year: 2020• Base year: 2025• Estimated year: 2026• Forecast year: 2031Aspects covered in this report•Nitrogenous Fertilizers Market with its value and forecast along with its segments• Various drivers and challenges• On-going trends and developments• Top profiled companies• Strategic recommendationBy product Type • Urea• Ammonium Nitrate• Ammonium Sulfate• Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)• Others(UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions), Ammonia (Anhydrous Ammonia), Methylene Urea)By Form• Solid (Granular / Prilled)• Liquid• Gas (Anhydrous Ammonia)By Crop Type• Oilseeds and Pulses• Cereals and Grains• Fruits and Vegetables• OthersBy Application • Soil• Foliar• Fertigation• Others.