To buy bulk calcium nitrate fertilizer, pick the grade that fits your sales channel, ask for a COA covering the parameters below, compare offers on the same Incoterm and packaging, and check the producer before you pay. Calcium nitrate is a different product from calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), which is covered in our [AN and CAN buying guide](/blog-article/how-to-buy-bulk-ammonium-nitrate-can-fertilizer-importers).
What bulk calcium nitrate is (and isn't)
Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2, supplies calcium and nitrogen, mostly in nitrate form. Fertilizer grades often include a small ammoniacal nitrogen share. It dissolves readily in water, so it sells into fertigation as well as soil application.
CAN is different: it is ammonium nitrate blended with a calcium or magnesium carbonate filler. The carbonate does not dissolve.
Calcium nitrate vs CAN
| | Calcium nitrate | Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Calcium nitrate, small ammonium share | Ammonium nitrate plus carbonate |
| Solubility | Fully or largely water-soluble, depending on grade | Nitrogen part dissolves, filler does not |
| Main use | Fertigation, horticulture, calcium supply | Broadcast nitrogen on field crops |
| Typical buyer | Horticulture and fertigation distributors | Field-crop distributors |
Grades sold in bulk
Grade names vary by producer, so buy against the spec sheet.
Agricultural granular
Granular or prilled calcium nitrate goes into soil application and, in some markets, into blends. Particle size, hardness, and coating matter most. Distributors serving vegetable and fruit growers are the usual buyers.
Greenhouse / fully water-soluble fertigation
Greenhouse grade calcium nitrate is made to dissolve completely in stock tanks. Water insolubles and purity are what you are paying for. Residue blocks drippers and filters, so put a limit on water insolubles in the contract and state the test method.
Technical grade
Technical grade calcium nitrate goes to industry: wastewater and odor treatment, and concrete admixtures, among other uses. The buyer, spec priorities, and paperwork differ, and it is not normally registered as fertilizer.
Spec sheet checklist: what the COA must show
Ask for a guaranteed value, test method, and issuing lab for each parameter. Compare guarantees against your market's requirements, confirmed locally.
| Parameter | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Total nitrogen | The nutrient value you pay for |
| Nitrate nitrogen | The fast-acting N most buyers want |
| Ammoniacal nitrogen | Affects fertigation recipes and classification |
| CaO / Ca | The calcium guarantee; check the basis |
| Water insolubles | Decides whether it works in drip systems |
| Heavy metals | Contaminant limits in many markets |
| Moisture | More caking, less nutrient per kg |
| Form | Affects handling and dissolving |
State in the contract whose analysis is final.
Packaging, handling, and storage
Bag formats
Calcium nitrate is usually traded in 25 kg bags and in big bags, with fill weights stated in kg. Agree the liner, fill weight in kg, pallet pattern, and label language in writing.
Hygroscopic caking and oxidizer handling
Calcium nitrate pulls moisture from the air quickly. Specify moisture-proof liners, keep stock covered, rotate it first in, first out, and inspect bags on arrival.
As an oxidizer, it must be stored away from fuels and organic material, per the SDS. Check that your warehouse and haulier can handle oxidizing goods.
How bulk calcium nitrate is priced
Incoterms FOB / CFR / CIF
Offers are quoted on a weight basis, usually FOB at the load port, or CFR or CIF at your port. CFR includes freight to your port; CIF adds insurance. Before comparing a FOB offer with a CIF one, convert both to a landed cost at your warehouse.
What moves the quote
Grade (soluble grades usually cost more), packaging (25 kg bags cost more than big bags), origin, freight including any oxidizer surcharges, and order size in kg all move the quote.
For other products, see our guides to [ammonium sulfate](/blog-article/how-to-buy-bulk-ammonium-sulfate-fertilizer-importers), [NPK](/blog-article/how-to-buy-bulk-npk-fertilizer-importers), and [potash MOP and SOP](/blog-article/how-to-buy-bulk-potash-mop-sop-importers).
Supplier checks
Producer vs trader, plant origin, sample and independent inspection
Find out whether you are dealing with the producer or a trader. A trader should name the plant. Check that the producer on the COA matches the certificate of origin. Test a sample of the exact grade, and book independent inspection at loading for quality, weight in kg, and packing. Be wary of prices well below the market.
Documents
At minimum, ask for:
- COA for the shipped lot
- SDS covering oxidizer classification and handling
- Certificate of origin
- Inspection report from an independent surveyor
Import and compliance notes
Calcium nitrate is generally classified as an oxidizer for transport, so dangerous-goods rules for sea, road, and storage may apply. Confirm it on the SDS. Many countries require fertilizer registration and labeling, and technical grade may fall under chemical rules. Rules vary by country, so confirm them locally before shipping.
FAQ
What is bulk calcium nitrate and which grades are sold in bulk?
Bulk calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2 traded in large lots for resale or industrial use. It supplies calcium and mostly nitrate nitrogen. The main grades are agricultural granular for soil application, greenhouse or fully water-soluble grade for fertigation, and technical grade for uses such as wastewater treatment and concrete admixtures. Confirm the grade on the spec sheet.
What is the difference between calcium nitrate and CAN?
Calcium nitrate is a soluble calcium and nitrate nitrogen source used heavily in fertigation and horticulture. CAN is ammonium nitrate mixed with a carbonate filler that does not dissolve, sold mainly as a broadcast nitrogen fertilizer for field crops. They have different buyers and specs, and often different regulatory treatment, so compare them as separate products.
What specs should a calcium nitrate COA show?
A calcium nitrate COA should show total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, calcium as CaO or Ca, water insolubles, heavy metals, moisture, and physical form. Each figure should come with a test method and the issuing lab. Compare the guarantees against your contract and against the registration requirements in your market.
What is the difference between greenhouse and technical grade calcium nitrate?
Greenhouse grade is made for fertigation, so low water insolubles and high purity matter because residue blocks drippers and filters. Technical grade goes to industrial users, for example in wastewater treatment or concrete. It has different spec priorities and paperwork and is not normally registered or labeled as a fertilizer.
How is bulk calcium nitrate priced?
Bulk calcium nitrate is quoted on a weight basis, usually FOB at the load port or CFR or CIF at the destination port. The quote depends on grade, packaging, origin, freight, and order size in kg. Convert every offer to a landed cost at your warehouse before comparing, and only compare offers with matching grade and packaging.
How should calcium nitrate be packed and stored, given it is hygroscopic?
Calcium nitrate absorbs moisture and cakes easily, so it usually ships in lined 25 kg bags or big bags. Store it dry and covered, rotate stock first in, first out, and check bags on arrival. It is also an oxidizer, so keep it away from fuels and organic materials and follow the supplier's SDS.
How do I verify a calcium nitrate supplier?
Confirm whether the seller is the producer or a trader, and get the plant named. Check that the producer on the COA matches the certificate of origin. Test a sample of the exact grade, dissolving it if you sell into fertigation. Book independent inspection at loading, and be wary of prices well below the market.
What import documents and regulatory checks apply to calcium nitrate?
Expect a COA, SDS, certificate of origin, and an independent inspection report. Calcium nitrate is generally treated as an oxidizer for transport, so dangerous-goods rules may apply. Many countries require fertilizer registration and labeling, and technical grade may fall under chemical rules. Requirements vary by country, so confirm them with local authorities and your customs broker.
Ready to buy or sell? Post an RFQ for bulk calcium nitrate on GetFertilizer with your grade, specs, packaging, and delivery terms, or list your calcium nitrate if you are a supplier.