Market Insight
17 December 2025
Fertilizers
Copper sulphate pentahydrate, known chemically as CuSO₄·5H₂O, is widely used in fertilizers to supply copper, an essential micronutrient for healthy crop growth. Farmers rely on it to correct copper shortages in soil and plants that can quietly reduce yields and weaken crops. Because it dissolves easily in water, plants can take up copper quickly whether it is applied to the soil, sprayed on leaves, or mixed into compound fertilizers. Copper helps plants carry out basic functions such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity, and stem development, while also supporting how plants use nitrogen. When copper levels are too low, crops often show pale leaves, weak growth, poor flowering, and greater vulnerability to disease. In the field, copper sulphate pentahydrate works effectively at low application rates, typically around 50 to 100 grams per hectare for cereals or slightly higher on organic soils. It also has a long history in crop protection, including use in Bordeaux mixture to manage fungal diseases. When used within approved limits, it remains suitable for organic farming in many regions, making it a practical option for farms dealing with copper-poor soils or intensive fertilization systems.
Fertilizer manufacturers favor copper sulphate pentahydrate because it offers a stable and water-soluble source of copper. In blended fertilizers, it is usually included at 0.1 to 1 percent by weight, supplying around 25 percent elemental copper. This makes it suitable for correcting micronutrient shortages without raising the risk of crop damage when used correctly.
When applied to soil, copper sulphate pentahydrate helps correct long-term copper deficiency, especially in peaty or sandy soils. A single application can support crop needs for five to six years. Proper soil incorporation improves pollen viability, sugar formation, and disease resistance. Keeping application rates below 100 grams per hectare avoids plant stress while delivering steady benefits, even in systems that rely heavily on nitrogen fertilizers.
For faster results, farmers often apply copper sulphate pentahydrate as a foliar spray. Typical solutions use 2 to 5 grams in 10 liters of water during active growth stages. Seed treatments may use about 2 grams per liter to support early development. Its high solubility allows quick uptake through leaves, supporting photosynthesis and structural strength. Water-soluble fertilizer products also use copper sulphate pentahydrate in liquid form, which suits drip irrigation and organic-approved systems when deficiencies are proven and local limits are respected.
Copper sulphate pentahydrate blends well with NPK fertilizers and other micronutrients such as sodium molybdate. Its stability in water reduces the risk of precipitation in liquid fertilizers. To avoid clumping during blending, producers often dissolve it in hot water before mixing. This improves nutrient distribution and supports balanced crop nutrition in both high-nitrogen and standard fertilizer programs.
Demand for copper sulphate pentahydrate in fertilizers increased steadily between 2019 and 2025. Expansion of cultivated land and more intensive farming practices supported growth, especially in Asia Pacific and North America. Food security concerns after 2020 strengthened interest in micronutrients that improve yield reliability. By 2025, the wider agricultural micronutrient market exceeded 5 billion dollars in value, with copper products accounting for roughly 5 to 7 percent of total volumes. Studies indicate that more than 30 percent of global soils show some level of copper deficiency, which continues to drive demand.
Modern farming systems remove copper from soils faster than natural replenishment. Heavy use of NPK fertilizers can further limit copper uptake by crops. As a result, farmers increasingly rely on targeted copper supplementation to maintain yields in cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Precision agriculture tools and improved crop varieties also raise nutrient efficiency, making micronutrient management more important in high-yield systems.
Awareness of micronutrient shortages has grown through soil testing programs and government-led education. In countries such as India and the United States, campaigns highlight copper deficiency in around 4 to 12 percent of soils. Targeted copper application has delivered yield improvements of 10 to 20 percent in affected areas. Support for sustainable farming and balanced nutrition has encouraged wider adoption of copper-enriched fertilizer blends that improve crop quality and disease resistance.
Soil application remains the largest segment, accounting for about 45 to 50 percent of total use. Farmers prefer it for long-lasting correction in large-scale cropping systems. Foliar sprays make up around 30 to 35 percent of demand, especially in high-value crops where fast response is critical. Fertigation represents 15 to 20 percent, supported by drip irrigation in orchards, greenhouses, and intensive vegetable production.
Cereals such as wheat and rice account for roughly 40 percent of total demand, reflecting copper’s role in grain formation. Fruits and vegetables represent about 25 to 30 percent, where disease resistance and quality matter most. Oilseeds, including soybeans, contribute around 20 percent, particularly in tropical regions with nutrient-poor soils. Distribution still relies heavily on offline channels like cooperatives and agro-dealers, which handle about 70 percent of sales. Online platforms are expanding quickly, serving precision agriculture users and smaller-scale buyers.
From 2026 to 2033, the global copper sulphate pentahydrate market for fertilizers is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.5 to 5.0 percent. Market value is projected to rise from about 1.2 billion dollars in 2024 to nearly 1.8 billion dollars by 2033. Agriculture will remain the main growth driver, contributing more than half of total volume increases.
Asia Pacific stands out as the fastest-growing region, with expected growth of 6 to 7 percent per year. India, China, and Indonesia continue to expand soil improvement programs for rice, fruits, and vegetables. Latin America follows with growth of 5 to 6 percent, led by Brazil’s soybean sector and wider use of fertigation. North America maintains steady growth of around 4 percent, supported by precision farming and soil testing adoption.
As fertilizer producers and agricultural input suppliers respond to these trends, sourcing consistency and product reliability become increasingly important. Companies working with experienced suppliers such as Fertradeasia gain access to fertilizer-grade copper sulphate pentahydrate that meets formulation requirements across soil, foliar, and water-soluble applications. Reliable supply chains help manufacturers align with regional demand growth while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance.
Copper sulphate pentahydrate continues to hold a strong position in fertilizer markets as growers focus on balanced nutrition and stable yields. Its role as a reliable copper source supports plant health, disease resistance, and efficient nutrient use across cereals, fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds. Rising awareness of micronutrient deficiencies, combined with soil testing and precision farming, keeps demand steady in both developed and emerging agricultural regions. From 2026 to 2033, growth remains supported by population-driven food needs, expanding cultivation in Asia Pacific and Latin America, and wider use of micronutrient-enriched fertilizer blends. With proper application and regulatory compliance, copper sulphate pentahydrate remains a practical and effective solution for long-term soil fertility and crop productivity.
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