Fertilisation intensity Nutrient input

The average nitrogen input at the national level for the period 2020 to 2022 is 168 kg N per ha of utilised agricultural land. Of this, an average of around 45% is attributable to mineral fertilisers, 27% to farm manure (excluding digestate), and 19% to digestate. A further 1% is attributable to net manure imports (exports already offset) and 3% to the application of sewage sludge and compost, as well as nitrogen input from seed. Legume nitrogen fixation contributes 6% to total nitrogen input. 
In regions exhibiting above-average nutrient balance surpluses, the proportion of nitrogen derived from farm manure typically predominates. However, it should be noted that substantial quantities of fertiliser are already being exported from these regions to other areas. In regions dedicated to arable farming, mineral fertilisers represent the most substantial input. The supply of phosphorus exhibits a comparable regional distribution pattern. 
 

There has been a gradual decline in sales volumes of mineral fertilisers and livestock numbers across Germany between 2018 and 2022. This decline has resulted in a decrease in the average nitrogen input. The export of manure from intensive farming regions to neighbouring regions is increasing, which has the potential to reduce mineral fertiliser use in the receiving regions. In southern North Rhine-Westphalia and central Lower Saxony, in particular, the importance of manure imports from intensive farming regions as a nitrogen source for maintaining yield levels is increasing.

The calculations of the indicator and trends are currently based on agricultural statistics data, as calculations based on IACS (InVeKoS) data and other data sources within the impact monitoring framework are not yet available. It should be noted that the data basis for mineral fertilizer use in particular involves uncertainties, as no robust data on the regional distribution of application rates are available. Based on evaluations from the Farm Accountancy Data Network, the spatial distribution of mineral fertilizer use could be partially validated with good results. For further information on the calculation, see the indicator sheet