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Urea Suppliers: The Largest Urea Exporting Countries
Urea is the most traded nitrogen fertilizer in the world. A few producing regions, above all Russia and the Middle East, supply most of the buyers in Brazil, India, the United States and Australia.
The largest exporters
According to OEC trade data for 2024, world exports of urea were worth about USD 20.5 billion. The largest exporting countries were Russia (15.9 percent of world trade), Oman (13.1), Qatar (8.8), Saudi Arabia (7.9), Egypt (7.4) and Algeria (5.0). The Middle East and North Africa together are the largest supply region.
Why the Middle East and Egypt
Urea is made from natural gas and ammonia. Countries with large and low-cost gas supplies, such as Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria, can produce it for export at a competitive cost. Egypt ships mainly to the Mediterranean and Europe, the Gulf producers to South Asia, Australia and Latin America, and Russia to many regions by sea and by river.
The largest buyers
Brazil (14.2 percent of world imports), India (10.4), the United States (9.1), Australia (7.0), Thailand (4.5) and Turkey (4.3) were the largest importers in 2024. Buying follows the planting seasons: each region needs the product some weeks before sowing, so the shipping windows change through the year.
Forms and quality
Urea is sold as granular or prilled product, usually with about 46 percent nitrogen. Granular urea is harder and is preferred for blending and for bulk shipping. A contract names the nitrogen content, the biuret level, the size of the granules, the moisture and the inspection company. Cargoes are often 20,000 to 40,000 tonnes.
How it is shipped
Most urea moves in bulk on Handysize, Supramax and Panamax ships, and smaller lots in 50 kg bags or one-tonne big bags. The Shipfixing guide to the Supramax and Handymax size classes shows which ships suit your port.
Sourcing urea on Comdity
Look at the active sell offers and buy requests on the urea page, and post your own listing with the quantity, the origin, the loading or discharge port and the shipment period. Read FOB vs CFR vs CIF to choose the delivery term and offer and counteroffer to negotiate.
Timing your purchase
Urea demand is seasonal. Buyers in the northern hemisphere buy in the months before spring planting, and buyers in Brazil and Australia buy before their own planting seasons. Large importers, such as India, often buy through tenders that announce the quantity and the shipment window. Sellers usually have more cargoes available than buyers can take outside these peaks, so the terms are easier to negotiate in a quiet month.
What to check before you buy
Ask for the nitrogen content and the biuret level in the specification, the granule size and the moisture, and an independent inspection at loading. Check that the port can load the ship you plan to use, and that the producer has the export permit it needs, because some producing countries limit exports in certain periods. Compare offers on the same delivery term: a CFR offer to your port includes the freight and an FOB offer does not.
The largest exporting and importing countries (2024)
| Top exporting countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Russia | 15.9% |
| Oman | 13.1% |
| Qatar | 8.8% |
| Saudi Arabia | 7.9% |
| Egypt | 7.4% |
| Algeria | 5% |
| Nigeria | 4.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | 3.8% |
| Top importing countries | Share of world trade |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 14.2% |
| India | 10.4% |
| United States | 9.1% |
| Australia | 7% |
| Thailand | 4.5% |
| Turkey | 4.3% |
| France | 3% |
| Mexico | 2.7% |
Source: OEC (BACI/CEPII), 2024, customs codes 310210. The figures count trade by every mode of transport, not only by sea.
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