Nitrogen fertilizer supplies the nutrient plants need most to grow leaves and stems and stay green. The main types are urea, ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), ammonium sulphate and liquid UAN. Urea is the most widely used worldwide because it carries the most nitrogen per tonne.
If a crop looks pale, yellowish or stunted, nitrogen is often the first thing missing. Give it the right amount at the right time and the change is visible within days: leaves darken and growth picks up. Give too much and you waste money and harm the soil and water.
Why plants need nitrogen
Nitrogen is part of chlorophyll, proteins and DNA. It:
- Gives leaves their green colour
- Drives leaf and stem growth
- Increases yield, especially in cereals and leafy crops
- Raises protein content in grain
Short of nitrogen, plants turn pale, older leaves yellow first, and yields fall.
Types of nitrogen fertilizer compared
| Fertilizer | Nitrogen content | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Urea | 46% | Highest N of any solid fertilizer; must be worked into soil or watered in to limit losses |
| Ammonium nitrate | About 34% | Fast acting; regulated in many countries for safety and security |
| Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) | About 27% | Ammonium nitrate blended with limestone; less acidifying and safer to handle |
| Ammonium sulphate | About 21%, plus 24% sulphur | Useful on sulphur-deficient soils; more acidifying |
| UAN solution | 28 to 32% | Liquid, easy to apply by sprayer or irrigation |
| Organic sources | Low and variable | Manure and compost; release nitrogen slowly |
Urea: the most used nitrogen fertilizer
Urea is the world’s leading nitrogen fertilizer. Its 46% nitrogen makes it the cheapest to transport and store per kilogram of nitrogen. In India it is also subsidised, which makes it the default choice for most farmers. Learn more about urea fertilizer and how to use urea.
How to apply nitrogen fertilizer well
- Split the dose. Apply in two or three rounds through the season instead of all at once.
- Get it into the soil. Work urea in or apply it before irrigation or light rain.
- Avoid heavy rain. Heavy rain soon after application can wash nitrate away.
- Test the soil. A soil test shows how much nitrogen the crop really needs.
- Match the crop stage. Most nitrogen is needed during rapid growth.
For rice, for example, a common pattern is a first dose at transplanting, a second at tillering and a third before flowering.
What affects nitrogen fertilizer prices
Nitrogen fertilizers are made from ammonia, which comes mostly from natural gas. So:
- Gas prices set production costs. European gas averaged $25.42 per million Btu in September 2026, more than double the 2025 average.
- Supply disruptions, such as shipping problems around the Strait of Hormuz in 2026, can push prices up fast.
- Export policies, for example restrictions by large producers, tighten world supply.
- Freight and season add to the delivered price.
The World Bank urea benchmark averaged $407.50 per tonne in September 2026, after peaking at an average of about $694 in April to June. See our full urea price guide.
FOB vs CIF
International offers are usually quoted FOB (the buyer arranges shipping) or CFR/CIF (the seller includes freight, and with CIF also insurance). Always compare offers on the same basis. Read FOB vs CIF.
Major nitrogen fertilizer producers
The world market is led by large producers in regions with cheap gas, including the Middle East, Russia, North America and North Africa. Well-known companies include Yara (Norway), CF Industries (USA), Nutrien (Canada), QAFCO (Qatar), SABIC Agri-Nutrients (Saudi Arabia), EuroChem and Koch. For urea producers, see top urea manufacturers.
Buying nitrogen fertilizer in bulk
Agromer trades urea with major refineries on spot and contract terms, and supplies NPK and other fertilizers to importers and distributors. Send us the product, grade, quantity, packaging and destination. Offers for urea are issued against an end-buyer Letter of Intent. See our bulk fertilizer range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best nitrogen fertilizer?
It depends on the crop and soil. Urea is the most economical per kilogram of nitrogen. CAN and ammonium nitrate act faster with lower losses, and ammonium sulphate also supplies sulphur.
How fast does nitrogen fertilizer work?
Crops often green up within a few days to a week, especially with nitrate-containing fertilizers or urea that has been watered in.
What are signs of nitrogen deficiency?
Pale green to yellow leaves, starting with older leaves, slow growth and lower yields.
Can too much nitrogen harm plants?
Yes. It causes soft, leafy growth, lodging, more pests and disease, and it can leach into groundwater.
Is organic nitrogen better than urea?
Organic sources improve soil health but release nitrogen slowly and in small amounts. Most farms combine them with mineral nitrogen.