Nitrogen (N)	16% min
Phosphorus (P2O5)	16% min (water-soluble)
Potassium (K2O)	16% min (water-soluble)
Total nutrients (N+P2O5+K2O)	48% min
Moisture	1.5% max
Granule size	2–4 mm (90% min on sieve)
Granule strength	4.5 MPa min (crush test)
Appearance	Grey to brown granules
HS code	3105.20

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Product overview

NPK 16-16-16 is the reference balanced compound in global fertilizer trade — 48% total nutrients in an equal N-P-K ratio that fits cereals, oilseeds and mixed horticulture without custom soil-test blending. Each granule carries ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen, water-soluble phosphorus and potassium from MOP, produced on pipe-reactor or drum granulation lines at integrated complexes in Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The grade dominates distributor portfolios across West and East Africa, where a single SKU simplifies farm-gate retail and government subsidy programmes. Importers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania move 16-16-16 in bulk vessel parcels for port-side bagging into 50 kg retail packs, or in pre-bagged FIBC lots for cooperative direct purchase. Middle East buyers use it as a base dressing on wheat and barley rotations in Syria, Iraq and Jordan.

At 48% analysis, freight cost per kg of applied nutrient sits between economy grades like 15-15-15 and higher-analysis 17-17-17 — making 16-16-16 the volume leader where logistics economics and agronomic flexibility must balance. Granules at 2–4 mm spread evenly on mechanical broadcasters and blend cleanly with straight nitrogen or potash for custom regional formulations.

Loading ports & logistics

NPK 16-16-16 ships in bulk vessel holds or bagged lots from granulation complexes with dedicated NPK loading berths. Moisture control below 1.5% prevents caking during transit through humid tropical discharge corridors.

FOB loading at Black Sea ports (Novorossiysk, Taman, Odessa region) and MENA chemical terminals with bulk-handling and bagging lines. Standard parcel sizes from 1,000 MT on coaster vessels to 25,000 MT on handysize and supramax bulk carriers.

CFR/CIF deliveries to West Africa (Lagos, Tema, Dakar), East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti), South Asia (Mumbai, Chittagong) and Middle East import hubs. Bagged cargo — 50 kg PP woven bags with PE liner or 1,000 kg FIBC — suits ports without bulk discharge infrastructure.

Typical lead time 14–30 days from contract to loading window, subject to granulation-line scheduling and berth availability.

Packaging & documentation

Bulk shipment in vessel holds with moisture barrier tarps, or in 50 kg PP woven bags with inner PE liner, palletised and stretch-wrapped. FIBC big-bags (1,000 kg) available for cooperative bulk purchase at farm-gate level. Each lot ships with a mill certificate of analysis (COA), commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. SDS per GHS provided on request. Third-party inspection at loading (SGS, Bureau Veritas) available for LC-backed or first-time contracts.

Buyer segments & crop programmes

Government tender buyers in Sub-Saharan Africa procure 16-16-16 for national input subsidy schemes targeting smallholder maize and rice. Private distributors re-pack bulk arrivals into branded 50 kg bags for retail networks. On broad-acre cereals, pre-plant broadcast at 200–300 kg/ha covers establishment-phase N, P and K; oilseed rape and sunflower programmes use similar rates with optional urea top-dress at stem elongation.

FAQ

Why do African distributors stock 16-16-16 as a default SKU?

The equal 16-16-16 ratio covers baseline N, P and K for maize, sorghum and groundnut without soil-test segmentation. One SKU simplifies warehouse management across multi-crop regions where farmers buy a single compound at planting.

Can 16-16-16 be co-loaded with urea on the same vessel?

Yes, when both products are in separate holds or segregated bagged lots with compatible moisture specifications. Urea and NPK granules must not be bulk-blended in the same hold — chloride and moisture transfer between grades causes caking and nutrient segregation.

What application rate covers a 5 t/ha maize target on moderate soils?

A pre-plant broadcast of 250–300 kg/ha 16-16-16 delivers roughly 40–48 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per hectare. High-yield irrigated programmes above 8 t/ha typically add 80–120 kg N/ha as urea sidedress at V6–V8.

NPK 16-16-16 — Benchmark Balanced Compound for Bulk Export

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