GCC fertiliser production is expected to increase by over 50 per cent in the next five years, driven by increases in the output of nitrogen and phosphate-based chemicals.

Annual production of nutrients is forecast to reach 17.5 million tonnes in 2018 compared with 11.5 million tonnes in 2013, according to a new report by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA).

Production of nitrate fertiliser nutrients such as ammonia and urea is forecast to rise by 1.2 million tonnes a year (t/y) to 12.8 million t/y, while phosphate nutrients output is expect to rise by 0.5 million t/y to 4.6 million t/y.

In terms of total fertiliser products, output is expected to grow by 57 per cent to 66.9 million t/y over the five-year period.

Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of fertilisers in the GCC followed by Qatar and the UAE.