Fertilizers

Tanzania's domestic fertilizer production reached 158,628 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season through 36 factories currently in operation, while total fertilizer availability in the country reached 1,213,729 tonnes.

Tanzania has experienced a massive expansion of its fertilizer industry, driven by new investments, factory expansions, and a robust national subsidy program that has pushed farmer demand to one million tonnes per year.

The country produces a diverse mix of hybrid organic and mineral fertilizers, phosphate-based fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, compost, and calcium carbonate (lime), positioning the sector as one of the most dynamic agro-industrial value chains in East Africa.

Domestic Production and Industrial Base

Domestic fertilizer production in Tanzania reached 158,628 tonnes in the 2024/2025 season.

This output was generated through 36 factories currently in operation across the country.

The surge in production is primarily attributed to two major investments: the new Itracom fertilizer factory and the expansion of the Minjingu factory.

The industrial base spans hybrid organic and mineral fertilizers, phosphate-based fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, compost, and calcium carbonate (lime).

Manufacturing also extends to bio-pesticides targeting mosquito larvae and crop pests, complementing the core fertilizer product mix.

National Demand and Application Rates

Farmer demand and actual application of fertilizer in Tanzania have grown significantly to 1,000,000 tonnes per year.

The average application rate has improved to 24 kg per hectare^[1].

The Government heavily drives this demand through a robust national subsidy program that has expanded farmer access to inputs.

Despite the production surge, a structural gap remains between local manufacturing capacity and national consumption, which is currently bridged through imports of chemical fertilizers.

Total Fertilizer Availability 2024/2025

Overall fertilizer availability in the country reached 1,213,729 tonnes in 2024/2025, combining domestic production with imports.

The composition shows that domestic factories supplied roughly 158,628 tonnes out of 1,213,729 tonnes available, equivalent to 13.1% of total supply.

The remainder, approximately 1,055,101 tonnes, was sourced through imported chemical fertilizers and other supply channels.

This split highlights the import-substitution opportunity that future investments in local production are designed to capture.

Flagship Investments: Itracom and Minjingu

The new Itracom fertilizer factory is one of the two flagship investments responsible for the recent production surge.

The expansion of the Minjingu factory is the second pillar of the production increase, leveraging the extensive phosphate deposits mined in Minjingu (Manyara Region).

Phosphate, also extensively mined in Nachingwea (Lindi Region), is a critical input for agriculture and feeds directly into local fertilizer manufacturing.

Limestone, abundantly found in Tanga, Wazo Hill (Dar es Salaam), Lindi, and Mbeya, is additionally used as a fertilizer for highly acidic soils, supporting the calcium carbonate (lime) segment of the industry.

Investment Opportunities and Strategic Outlook

To bridge the gap between local demand and the heavy reliance on imported chemical fertilizers, and to further boost local production, several future initiatives are underway.

Investment opportunities extend to the establishment of processing plants and industries for the production of refined mineral oil, petroleum jelly, grease, fertilizers, and bituminous-based water/damp-proof building materials.

Fertilizer and chemical products are listed among the priority sectors within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs), offering fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for export-oriented manufacturing.

Within these zones, investors can develop industrial parks and supporting infrastructure, establish manufacturing facilities under SEZs and EPZs licensing schemes, or provide support services including logistics and waste management.

Policy Framework and Alignment

Fertilizer is identified as a priority commodity under the Agriculture Master Plan 2050, with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) committed to accelerating the development of commercial activities around it.

The plan targets the development of commercial activities of priority commodities, including wheat, soybeans, poultry, aquaculture, and fertilizer.

National subsidy programs administered through the Government remain a central policy instrument driving farmer adoption and shaping demand-side growth.

Fertilizer manufacturing is further embedded in industrial-zone policy, with fertilizer and chemical products positioned as a priority sector within the SEZ and EPZ regimes for export-oriented production.

Last Update: May 2026

References

1. https://www.viwanda.go.tz/uploads/documents/en-1747115028-hotuba_online_compressed.pdf (Guide reference #129)