Urea fertilizer suppliers and exporters are concentrated in a handful of gas-rich countries. In 2024, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Nigeria were among the largest sources of export urea, based on UN Comtrade customs data. If you import urea, the origin you choose shapes your price, freight, product form and supply risk.
This page shows where export urea comes from, what each supply region is known for, and how to evaluate the suppliers who offer it to you.
Who supplies urea to the world market?
There are two kinds of urea supplier you will meet:
- Producers that export their own output, either directly or through a marketing arm.
- Traders and exporters that buy from producers and resell, often adding freight, financing and logistics.
Both are legitimate. What matters is that the cargo can be traced to a real plant, that the seller can perform, and that payment and inspection protect you. For the producers themselves, see our urea manufacturers database.
Urea exports by country, 2024
| Exporter | 2024 exports (thousand tonnes) | Largest buyers in 2024 (partner data) |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | at least 9,064* | Brazil, US, India, Mexico, Latin America |
| Qatar | at least 5,370* | Brazil, US, Australia, India, Mexico |
| Saudi Arabia | 4,440 | Thailand, Australia, India, US, New Zealand |
| Oman | 3,487 | – |
| Egypt | 3,216 | Turkey, France, Italy, Spain, Europe |
| Nigeria | 3,077 | – |
| Algeria | 2,165 | – |
| Malaysia | 2,032 | – |
| Indonesia | 1,478 | – |
| Brunei | 1,081 | – |
| United States | 967 | – |
A few countries need a footnote. Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium also report large exports, but much of this is intra-European trade and re-export rather than production for world markets. Iran exported 4.87 million tonnes in 2023 but had not reported 2024 data. China reported 4.25 million tonnes of exports in 2023 and only about 0.26 million tonnes in 2024.
Every reporting country is listed in our searchable urea country dataset, which you can filter and download.
Supply regions and what they offer
Middle East and the Gulf
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain export large volumes of granular urea from deep-water ports. Supply is steady and the region sets the benchmark price the World Bank quotes, FOB Middle East. It’s a natural origin for Asia, Australia, East Africa and, with longer voyages, the Americas.
Russia
A very large, competitive supplier with both granular and prilled urea, shipped from the Baltic and Black Sea. Buyers must check the sanctions rules that apply to their company, banks and vessels before trading.
North Africa
Egypt and Algeria are close to Europe and the Mediterranean. In 2024, Egypt’s largest buyers by partner data were Turkey, France, Italy and Spain. Short voyages help buyers in Turkey, Southern Europe and East Africa.
West Africa
Nigeria has become a major exporter in recent years, with more than 3 million tonnes of reported exports in both 2023 and 2024.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei supply granular urea mainly into Asia and Oceania, with short freight routes to Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.
China
China can be a large exporter in some years, but government export controls make its supply unpredictable for overseas buyers.
Granular or prilled: which suppliers to look for
| Granular urea | Prilled urea | |
|---|---|---|
| Particle | Larger, harder granules, often 2 to 4 mm | Smaller beads, often 1 to 2.8 mm |
| Handling | Less dust and breakage in bulk shipping | Softer, more prone to breakage |
| Typical buyers | Large importers, blenders, mechanised farms | Local markets, some industrial users |
Most seaborne export urea is granular. If you need prilled urea, check that the origin still produces it in volume. See urea N46 specifications and liquid vs granular urea.
How to evaluate a urea supplier
It rarely comes down to price alone. A cheaper offer from a seller who cannot load on time, or who asks for money before any inspection, will cost more in the end.
Check these points:
- Origin and plant. Can the seller name the producer and loading port?
- Company checks. Registration, trading history, bank details and sanctions screening.
- Specification. Nitrogen, biuret, moisture and size written into the contract.
- Delivery terms. FOB, CFR or CIF, shipment period and laycan.
- Payment. Documentary letter of credit or SBLC, with payment against documents.
- Inspection. An independent inspector such as SGS at loading.
- Documents. Commercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, certificate of quality and weight.
Be cautious with offers that come with “procedures” requiring upfront fees, or prices far below the market. You can compare against current benchmarks on our urea prices by country page.
Matching supplier origin to your market
A buyer in Thailand will usually look first at the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. A buyer in Brazil sees offers from Russia, Qatar, Nigeria and Algeria. In Europe, Egypt and Algeria are close at hand. Freight, voyage time and port limits often decide more than the FOB price does.
Working with Agromer
Agromer has been an international commodity trader since 1985, based in Saint-Avertin, France. We trade urea with major producers on spot and contract terms, and we work with an end-buyer LOI, payment by 100% DLC or SBLC, and SGS inspection at loading. Send us the product form, specification, quantity, packaging and destination port. See also urea fertilizer and how to buy fertilizer in bulk.
Frequently asked questions
Which country exports the most urea?
Russia was the largest source of export urea in 2024 based on partner-reported imports, with at least 9 million tonnes, followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Where does most export urea come from?
Mainly from the Gulf, Russia, North Africa, Nigeria and Southeast Asia, where low-cost natural gas supports large export plants.
Is granular or prilled urea more widely available?
Granular urea makes up most of the seaborne export trade. Prilled urea is still produced, but in fewer export plants.
Why do some countries not appear in 2024 export data?
Some countries, including Russia, Qatar and Iran, had not reported 2024 trade to UN Comtrade. Partner countries’ import data gives a minimum estimate.
How do I know if a urea supplier is genuine?
Ask for the producing plant and loading port, verify the company and its bank, screen against sanctions lists, and insist on independent inspection and a documentary letter of credit.
Does China export urea?
China exported 4.25 million tonnes in 2023, but reported exports fell to about 0.26 million tonnes in 2024 under tighter export controls.