Sustainability has suddenly shifted from being a long-term goal to an urgent operational requirement in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With the governments of the world facing challenges of water scarcity, land degradation, and food imports, the agricultural sector is undergoing a paradigm shift. The use of fertilizers in the Gulf states is no longer based solely on yield production but also on maintaining sustainable farming, which supports the sustainability agenda of the governments.

This paradigm shift is undergoing a transformation in the manufacture, distribution, and use of fertilizers. Organic and bio-based fertilizers are gaining popularity, not only as alternatives but also as important constituents of climate-resilient agriculture practices in the GCC countries.

Policy-Led Sustainability Goals Are Reshaping Agricultural Inputs

Government policies have now become the leading drivers for the changing fertiliser consumption behavior in the GCC. NCs like the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the Green Agenda in the UAE, and the Oman Sustainable Agriculture Framework all share the same spirit of promoting soil restoration, water management, and less reliance on chemicals.

Agricultural ministries in the region are promoting sustainable inputs such as fertilizers through subsidies, certification, and training of farmers. This is especially the case in arid or semi-arid climates, where soil fatigue due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers threatens the productive quality of the land following nutrient imbalances.

This has shifted demand for fertilizers towards those that can enhance the organic content, microbiological activities, and overall soil fertility, thus resulting in a stable GCC Organic Fertilizer Market environment due to the support by the governments for their respective food security initiatives for their respective countries.

Food Security and Consumer Demand Are Reinforcing the Shift

Sustainability-driven fertilizer demand is also shaped by changes further downstream in the food value chain. Consumers across the GCC, especially in urban centers, are increasingly aware of food quality, traceability, and environmental impact. Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains now command price premiums in retail and hospitality channels.

To meet this demand, farmers must comply with organic and low-residue production standards, which directly influences fertilizer selection. Chemical-heavy nutrient regimes are being replaced with organic residues, compost-based inputs, and bio-fertilizers that support certification requirements.

This shift is particularly visible in high-value segments such as greenhouse vegetables, date palms, and specialty crops grown for export or premium domestic markets. As controlled-environment agriculture expands across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, fertilizer demand increasingly favors products that enhance nutrient uptake without compromising soil or water quality.

Circular Economy Practices Are Redefining Fertilizer Supply

One of the most relevant sustainability-driven trends in agriculture across the GCC region involves the integration of principles of the circular economy into agriculture. The governments actively promote converting food waste, agricultural residues, and by-products of livestock into value-added fertilizers.

Large composting and bio-conversion facilities are coming up, which will reduce landfill dependency and localize fertilizer supply chains. The UAE's National Register for Carbon Credits, initiated in 2024, accelerated these activities by offering financial incentives for recycling organic waste and capturing soil carbon.

These initiatives are building the GCC Organic Fertilizer Market domestic production capacity, decreasing dependency on imported nutrients in soils, in addition to helping their higher climate ambitions. For fertilizer producers, a source of locally available organic feedstock has grown into a double-edged sword-to apply cost advantage and differentiator in sustainability.

Innovation Is Aligning Fertilizers with Arid-Climate Farming

Sustainability in the GCC is inseparable from water efficiency. With agriculture consuming a significant share of freshwater resources, fertilizers must now perform under highly controlled irrigation regimes such as drip systems, hydroponics, and fertigation.

This has driven innovation in fertilizer formulation. Producers are increasingly developing liquid organic fertilizers, slow-release compounds, and microbial solutions tailored for arid soils and saline conditions. These products improve nutrient-use efficiency, reduce leaching, and support plant resilience under heat stress.

At the farm level, precision agriculture tools are reinforcing this shift. Soil sensors and digital monitoring systems allow growers to apply fertilizers more accurately, increasing demand for consistent, high-quality organic inputs that integrate seamlessly with modern irrigation technologies.

Market Size, Growth Outlook, and Application Trends

The GCC organic fertilizer sector is expanding steadily as sustainability transitions from policy ambition to on-ground implementation. The market was valued at approximately USD 455.8 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 842.8 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of about 9.18% during the forecast period.

Bio-fertilizers dominate product demand due to their ability to improve nutrient absorption and soil biology in challenging environments. Microbial inputs such as Rhizobium, Mycorrhizae, and phosphate-solubilizing organisms are widely adopted in cereal, horticulture, and commercial crop applications.

From an application perspective, fruits and vegetables lead demand growth. The expansion of greenhouse farming, urban agriculture, and institutional landscaping projects has increased reliance on organic nutrient solutions that support consistent quality and long production cycles.

Key Companies Supporting Sustainable Fertilizer Adoption

Several regional players play a critical role in advancing sustainability-led fertilizer demand across the GCC. Emirates Bio Fertilizer Factory (EBFF), based in the UAE, is one of the region’s most established producers, supplying compost-based and bio-organic fertilizers for agriculture, landscaping, and date palm cultivation.

RNZ Agrotech Industries has built a strong presence through research-driven microbial formulations designed specifically for arid conditions. Its collaborations with agritech partners have helped introduce advanced bio-fertilizers into both commercial farming and government-backed agricultural programs.

Al Yahar Organic Fertilizers Factory has aligned its operations with circular economy objectives by converting livestock and plant waste into high-quality soil conditioners. Its products are widely used in horticulture and public landscaping projects, reinforcing sustainability goals at both farm and municipal levels.

Other notable contributors include Abu Dhabi Fertilizer Industries, Green Emirates Fertilizer, Dhofar Organics, Tadweer Food Recycling Company, and Oman Agri-Fertilizer Co., all of which support the region’s transition toward environmentally responsible agriculture.

Conclusion: Sustainability as a Structural Demand Driver

Fertilizer demand in the GCC is no longer shaped solely by crop yield targets. Sustainability has become a structural force influencing policy, production systems, and purchasing decisions across the agricultural value chain. From soil regeneration and water conservation to waste recycling and carbon reduction, organic fertilizers now sit at the intersection of food security and environmental stewardship.

As governments continue to align agriculture with national climate goals, demand for sustainable fertilizer solutions will remain strong. For stakeholders seeking deeper insight into this evolving landscape, market intelligence from marknteladvisors provides valuable perspective on growth opportunities and competitive dynamics shaping the region’s future.