The global urea market plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security, as urea remains the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer worldwide. With agriculture driving demand and industrial applications expanding, leading urea producers are at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and large-scale production. Below, we provide an in-depth analysis of the top urea companies in 2025, highlighting their production capacity, market strategies, and contribution to global supply.
Global Urea Market Overview
Urea is an essential component in global agriculture, accounting for over 50% of nitrogenous fertilizer use. The market has seen steady growth due to:
Rising population and food demand
Expansion of agricultural land
Growing adoption of high-efficiency fertilizers
Increased industrial applications in plastics, adhesives, and resins
In 2025, the market size is expected to exceed USD 65 billion, with leading producers in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe dominating exports.
Leading Urea Producers in 2025
1. Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) – Qatar
Capacity: Over 5.6 million metric tons annually
Strengths: World’s largest single-site producer of urea
Highlights: Operates advanced ammonia and urea plants; strong focus on clean energy integration
2. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) – Saudi Arabia
Capacity: More than 4.5 million tons per year
Highlights: Diversified chemical giant with strong export network
Sustainability: Investing in carbon capture and green hydrogen to reduce emissions
3. CF Industries – United States
Capacity: Over 9 million tons of nitrogen products (urea and ammonia)
Strengths: Major supplier in North America with global exports
Innovation: Leading research in low-carbon urea production
4. National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) – India
Capacity: Approx. 3.6 million tons annually
Highlights: Key government-owned fertilizer producer in India
Market Role: Ensures food security for India’s vast agricultural base
5. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) – India
Capacity: Over 4 million tons annually
Strengths: One of the world’s largest cooperatives
Contribution: Supplies affordable fertilizers to millions of Indian farmers
6. Yara International – Norway
Capacity: Around 3.5 million tons of urea
Strengths: Global footprint across Europe, South America, and Africa
Focus: Sustainable farming and climate-smart agriculture solutions
7. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) – China
Capacity: Over 10 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers (urea included)
Highlights: One of the largest state-owned enterprises in China
Strengths: Vertical integration with oil and gas operations
8. Koch Fertilizer – United States
Capacity: Approx. 3.5 million tons of urea
Highlights: Global distribution network with plants across North America
Focus: Efficiency in logistics and long-term partnerships with distributors
9. Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) – Pakistan
Capacity: Over 2.5 million tons annually
Highlights: Pakistan’s largest urea producer
Contribution: Ensures agricultural productivity and food security in South Asia
Highlights: A rapidly growing supplier of urea and other petrochemicals
Strengths: Strong global distribution in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East
Expansion: Investing in logistics hubs to streamline fertilizer exports
Regional Market Leaders
Middle East: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE dominate exports due to natural gas availability.
Asia-Pacific: China and India lead consumption and production.
North America: U.S. producers benefit from shale gas resources.
Europe: Yara International focuses on sustainable fertilizers for advanced agricultural systems.
Sustainability in Urea Production
Environmental regulations and climate change concerns are pushing companies to adopt green ammonia and carbon-neutral urea technologies. Leaders like SABIC, Yara, and CF Industries are investing in:
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Hydrogen-based urea production
Energy-efficient ammonia synthesis
Supply Chain & Export Trends
Major Exporters: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE
Key Importers: India, Brazil, and African nations
Trends:
Increased adoption of digital trading platforms
Greater investment in port and storage infrastructure
Strategic partnerships for global fertilizer distribution
Challenges Facing Urea Companies
Price Volatility – Linked to natural gas feedstock
Environmental Concerns – Nitrogen runoff and greenhouse gas emissions
Geopolitical Tensions – Supply chain disruptions in fertilizer trade
Sustainability Pressure – Demand for eco-friendly fertilizers
Future Outlook 2025–2030
Rising global demand will sustain high production capacity.
More investment in green urea projects across Europe and the Middle East.
Expansion of digital agriculture platforms integrated with fertilizer companies.
Greater regional cooperation to stabilize global fertilizer supply chains.
Suggested Diagram – Global Urea Supply Chain
Conclusion
The top urea companies in 2025 are not only expanding production but also reshaping the future of agriculture with sustainable practices and global distribution networks. From industry giants like QAFCO and SABIC to emerging players like Aljabal Holding, these companies ensure the world’s farmers have access to the most critical input for food production, while aligning with sustainability goals.