Key markets for the products include the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and the Republic of Korea.

However, exports make up just about a fourth of the four million tonnes Vietnam imports on a yearly basis, mostly kali and SA fertilisers, which it is incapable of producing itself. Almost half of the imports come from China.

Fertiliser manufacturing has encountered difficulties in recent years with fertiliser prices falling due to oversupply. In 2016, droughts and saline intrusion in the south harmed agricultural production, driving down demand even further.

In addition, tougher competition from China and ASEAN countries, as well as fake and poor-quality products have hurt local fertiliser producers.