Yara International Invests in Cutting-Edge Facility for Specialty Crop Nutrition and Biostimulants

Impression of new YaraVita plant

(IN BRIEF) Yara International, a leading crop nutrition company, has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art production plant for specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants. The plant, set to be one of the largest globally, aims to meet the growing demand for these products that contribute to food security and combat climate change. YaraVita specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants have experienced significant sales growth, and the new facility will allow Yara to double its production capacity. The plant will be located in Yorkshire, UK, and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. The majority of its output will be exported worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 23-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Yara International ASA, a global firm specializing in agricultural products and environmental protection agents and a leading global ammonia player, has announced its plans to build a cutting-edge production plant to manufacture specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants aimed at enhancing yields and improving crop quality. This facility is poised to become one of the largest of its kind globally, catering to the increasing demand for these products crucial in achieving food security and addressing climate change challenges.

The establishment of the new plant will enable Yara to expand its presence in the rapidly growing market of specialty crop nutrition, which has witnessed a fivefold increase in sales of YaraVita specialty crop nutrition products and biostimulants over the past two decades. These products are carefully formulated to address the specific requirements of crops throughout their growth stages, enhancing their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Strategically located near Yara’s existing site in Yorkshire, UK, the plant will facilitate a doubling of YaraVita’s production capacity once it becomes operational by the end of 2025. Moreover, it allows for further expansion of production capacity if needed. The majority of the plant’s output will be exported to global markets.

“Our specialty crop nutrition products help farmers increase yields and quality without increasing land use. That not only benefits farmers but is also good for the planet,” says Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Executive Vice President for Europe at Yara International.

“It’s no wonder that this market is growing exponentially. Amid today’s food security and climate change challenges, it’s more important than ever to feed the world with nutritious food while also protecting the planet,” she adds.

The global specialty fertilizers market is projected to exhibit a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2022 to 2027, according to MarketsandMarkets. Biostimulants, on the other hand, are anticipated to experience even higher growth at a CAGR exceeding 12% from 2018 to 2030, as estimated by DunhamTrimmer.

Similar to humans, plants require a balanced supply of essential nutrients to thrive. Specialty nutrients delivered through foliar fertilizers, which are applied to leaves or fruits, are of utmost importance for crop growth and quality, complementing traditional mineral fertilizers applied to the soil. Biostimulants act as vitamins for plants, aiding their adaptation to climate change and improving nutrient utilization efficiency.

“If one nutrient is lacking or under stress, crop growth, yield and quality can be reduced. Specialty crop nutrition products are complementary to traditional mineral fertilizers and are crucial for achieving balanced crop nutrition. Although only needed in small amounts, they can make a big difference for farmers and are critical to ensure a lower carbon footprint for food production by increasing yield per unit of land,” says Rejane Souza, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation at Yara International.

YaraVita products have undergone approximately 3,000 trials to assess their efficacy, resulting in notable yield improvements ranging from 3% to 8% and, in some cases, even up to 30%. These enhanced yields and improved crop quality directly contribute to increased profitability and return on investment for farmers.

With its extensive agronomic expertise in foliar nutrients and biostimulants spanning over 50 years, coupled with more than a century of knowledge in crops and soils, Yara stands as a global leader in specialty crop nutrition products. The company’s comprehensive range of crop nutrition solutions, complemented by agronomic advice and digital tools, empowers farmers with holistic and effective solutions.

Yara’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and providing innovative crop nutrition solutions remains steadfast as it takes this significant step towards bolstering global food security and promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.

Media contact
Vibeke Larøi
Mobile: +47 942 85 337
Email: vibeke.laroi@yara.com

About YaraVita
YaraVita is a complete line of specialty crop nutrition and biostimulant products that ensure crops get everything they need so farmers get more out of their crops, both in terms of yield and quality. The range includes over 130 products, including foliar sprays, coatings for fertilizers and seeds, and biostimulants. YaraVita products are an essential part of an integrated crop nutrition solution for farmers who want to increase efficiency and enhance crop performance. Each YaraVita formulation supplies the right nutrients and/or bioactive compounds at the most effective rate and at the right time during the growing season.

About Yara
Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara’s ambition is focused on growing a nature-positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain.

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry’s only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,500 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2022, Yara reported revenues of USD 24.1 billion. www.yara.com

SOURCE: Yara International ASA