Foliar Fertilizer Guide
Foliar Fertilizer Specifications: NPK 20-20-20 for Immediate Crop Response
Why Commercial Buyers Are Expanding Foliar Fertilizer Lines
Foliar fertilizers occupy a growing and high-margin segment of the commercial fertilizer market. For distributors, importers, and national buyers serving plantation operators, cooperative farming systems, and commercial horticulture, adding a quality foliar NPK line — particularly the industry-standard NPK 20-20-20 with micronutrients — to your product offering creates several commercial advantages: higher margin per MT than bulk commodities, faster turnover, and strong differentiation in a commodity-dominated market.
This guide covers the technical specifications buyers need to understand before sourcing NPK 20-20-20 foliar fertilizer in bulk, the key quality parameters to verify, and the procurement considerations that affect your commercial positioning.
NPK 20-20-20 + TE: Full Technical Specification
| Parameter | Standard Grade | Premium Grade (+TE) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Nitrogen (N) | 20% (ammoniacal + nitrate) | 20% |
| Available P₂O₅ | 20% | 20% |
| Soluble K₂O | 20% | 20% |
| Iron (Fe) | Not included | 0.10% chelated (EDTA) |
| Manganese (Mn) | Not included | 0.05% chelated |
| Zinc (Zn) | Not included | 0.05% chelated |
| Boron (B) | Not included | 0.02% |
| Copper (Cu) | Not included | 0.01% chelated |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | Not included | 0.001% |
| Solubility | 100% at 20°C | 100% at 20°C |
| Form | Crystalline powder | Crystalline powder |
| pH (1% solution) | 5.5 – 6.5 | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| EC (1% solution) | Max 1.4 mS/cm | Max 1.4 mS/cm |
Why Chelated Micronutrients Matter for Commercial Buyers
The technical quality of micronutrient sources in foliar fertilizers is a critical differentiator that determines whether the product delivers visible, repeatable crop response. Standard (non-chelated) micronutrient salts — such as ferrous sulphate or zinc sulphate — have limited foliar uptake efficiency because they react with leaf surface compounds and become immobilized before entering the leaf tissue. Chelated micronutrients (EDTA-chelated Fe, Mn, Zn; organic-chelated Cu) maintain solubility and bioavailability at leaf surface pH, delivering significantly faster and more reliable uptake.
When specifying NPK 20-20-20 for commercial agricultural markets, always confirm whether the micronutrient package uses chelated forms — and verify with the COA that the chelating agent (EDTA, DTPA, EDDHA) is specified for each micronutrient. Products claiming trace elements without specifying chelation form are typically using cheaper non-chelated salts.
Application Rates and Compatibility
| Crop Type | Typical Application Rate | Water Volume | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil palm, rubber plantations | 3–5 kg/ha | 200–400 L/ha | Every 4–6 weeks |
| Fruit trees (mango, durian, citrus) | 2–4 kg/ha | 300–500 L/ha | Pre-flowering, fruit set, fruit fill |
| Vegetables (commercial) | 1–3 kg/ha | 200–300 L/ha | Every 7–14 days |
| Rice | 2–3 kg/ha | 200–300 L/ha | Tillering, panicle initiation, grain fill |
| Sugarcane | 3–5 kg/ha | 300–500 L/ha | Pre-elongation, mid-growth |
Packaging and Bulk Procurement
NPK 20-20-20 for commercial distribution is typically packaged in:
- 1 kg sachets (retail / cooperative unit dose)
- 5 kg bags (agri-dealer sales unit)
- 25 kg PE-lined bags (distributor bulk)
- Custom private label packaging available from 5 MT MOQ
For distributors, sourcing in 25 kg PE-lined bags and repackaging into local retail units (1 kg, 5 kg) provides a significant margin opportunity. The 25 kg bulk procurement price from a Thailand manufacturer is typically 30–50% below equivalent retail-packed imported product — creating room for local repackaging and margin capture at the distribution level.
How MC INTERNATIONAL S.P.A Supplies Foliar Fertilizer Buyers
We manufacture NPK 20-20-20 standard grade and NPK 20-20-20+TE (full chelated micronutrient package) under ISO 9001:2015 quality controls. COA specifies N, P₂O₅, K₂O, all micronutrients by name and chelation form, EC, pH, and solubility on every production batch. We accept MOQ of 1 MT for standard grades in 25 kg bags, and 5 MT for private label or custom-ratio water-soluble fertilizers.
We export foliar fertilizer under FOB, CFR, and CIF terms from Thai ports to buyers in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Full documentation including COA, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin is provided on every shipment.