Counterfeit Fertilizer: Why Quality Control and Efficacy Testing Are Crucial to Eradicating It?

Counterfeit fertilizer is not simply a problem of copied packaging or branding. A product may be considered counterfeit when its contents or quality do not correspond to the information stated on its label.

Indonesian fertilizer-control guidelines define counterfeit fertilizer as fertilizer whose contents or quality do not match the label, or whose brand, container, or packaging has been falsified. This issue matters because fertilizers are important agricultural inputs that can influence crop production.

The Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture states that fertilizer monitoring covers aspects including legality and quality, with inspections potentially involving packaging, labeling, quantity, physical condition, and quality-related testing. In a 2024 enforcement case, fertilizer samples were sent to laboratories for examination following public reports involving suspected counterfeit fertilizer

The laboratory results were subsequently used in actions involving products considered counterfeit or below the required standard. So, why are quality control and efficacy testing important for maintaining fertilizer quality?

Table of Content:

• Verify Whether Fertilizer Content Matches the Label
• Help Identify Products That Do Not Meet Specifications
• Support Batch-to-Batch Quality Consistency
• Efficacy Testing Evaluates Whether the Fertilizer Performs as Intended
• Generate Data to Support Quality Monitoring and Control
• What Can Be Tested in Fertilizer Products?
• Quality Testing and Efficacy Testing Are Not the Same

Verify Whether Fertilizer Content Matches the Label

One way to evaluate suspected counterfeit fertilizer is to compare the actual composition of the product with its label information or applicable specifications. Laboratory testing can be used to analyze chemical parameters such as primary nutrients, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, or other parameters relevant to the specific fertilizer.

By verifying these exact nutrient levels, testing provides the concrete proof needed to identify and combat counterfeit fertilizer. These analytical data provide more objective information than physical inspection alone.

When significant differences are found between the measured composition and the declared specification, manufacturers or regulators can conduct further evaluation of the product, manufacturing process, and quality documentation.

Read Also:
Fake NPK Fertilizers: Their Impact on Crops and How to Test Them

Help Identify Products That Do Not Meet Specifications

Not every product with a quality problem is automatically considered counterfeit fertilizer. Nonconformity can result from various factors, including raw materials, manufacturing processes, storage conditions, or handling during distribution.

Laboratory testing is therefore important for evaluating whether a product meets its specified quality requirements. Within a regulatory monitoring system, analytical results can provide a basis for further investigation.

One way to evaluate suspected counterfeit fertilizer is to compare the actual composition of the product with its label information or applicable specifications through comprehensive laboratory testing. By analyzing chemical parameters such as primary nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients, the product's true nature is revealed.

This analytical approach directly supports Indonesian fertilizer-control guidelines, which distinguish between illegal fertilizer, unusable fertilizer, and counterfeit fertilizer based on these precise characteristics.

Support Batch-to-Batch Quality Consistency

Quality monitoring should not only occur when there is a suspected case of counterfeit fertilizer. Routine testing can also help manufacturers monitor consistency from one production batch to another.

Variations in raw materials, processing conditions, storage, and other manufacturing factors can influence product composition. By comparing analytical results between batches, manufacturers can identify changes in specific quality parameters.

These data can become part of a quality-control system and support investigations when results fall outside established specifications.

Efficacy Testing Evaluates Whether the Fertilizer Performs as Intended

Chemical composition is not the only consideration when evaluating fertilizer performance. This is where fertilizer efficacy or effectiveness testing serves a different purpose from quality analysis.

Indonesian fertilizer-control guidelines define fertilizer effectiveness testing as field testing designed to determine the effects of fertilizer on plant growth and yield as well as its effects on soil fertility. When appropriately designed, efficacy studies can evaluate plant responses to fertilizer treatments and compare them with controls or reference treatments.

However, it is important to understand that efficacy testing does not directly determine whether a product is counterfeit. Product identity and composition are more appropriately evaluated through relevant quality testing.

Efficacy testing provides additional information about biological performance.

Generate Data to Support Quality Monitoring and Control

Fertilizer monitoring may involve a combination of administrative checks, physical inspection, quality testing, and, when appropriate, effectiveness evaluation. This is particularly relevant as Indonesian regulations continue to address fertilizer procurement, testing, registration, distribution, and monitoring.

Government Regulation No. 7 of 2026, which is currently in force, also covers fertilizer and the monitoring of agricultural production inputs. Laboratory data provide manufacturers and regulators with measurable evidence for evaluating whether a product meets established specifications.

What Can Be Tested in Fertilizer Products?

Testing parameters depend on the fertilizer type and the objective of the analysis. They may include:

• nitrogen content;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• secondary nutrients;
• micronutrients;
• moisture or water content;
• other chemical parameters relevant to product specifications; and
• effectiveness parameters through plant-based testing when required.

FAO resources describe fertilizer analysis as covering primary, secondary, and micronutrients, variability in chemical composition, and contaminants. Therefore, the analytical method should be selected according to the fertilizer type, target parameters, sample matrix, and applicable standards or specifications.

Quality Testing and Efficacy Testing Are Not the Same

It is important to distinguish these two approaches. Quality testing focuses on the composition and characteristics of the product.

For example, it can determine whether nitrogen or phosphorus content meets an established specification. Meanwhile, efficacy testing focuses on the response of plants or another biological system to the product under defined testing conditions.

The two approaches can therefore complement each other. Quality testing helps answer “What is actually contained in the product?”, while efficacy testing helps answer “How does the product perform when used for its intended purpose?”

Verify Fertilizer Quality and Performance Through Laboratory Testing

The circulation of counterfeit fertilizer and products that fail to meet specifications can create risks for both manufacturers and users. Quality monitoring therefore needs to be supported by objective analytical data.

IML Testing & Research provides Chemical Compound Testing services to help evaluate chemical parameters and fertilizer composition according to testing requirements. When biological performance needs to be evaluated, effectiveness testing can be designed according to the fertilizer type, target crop, and research objective.

Contact IML Testing & Research to discuss your fertilizer testing requirements and determine the appropriate parameters and analytical methods.

Author & Editor: Lina

References

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Havlin, J. L., Tisdale, S. L., Nelson, W. L., & Beaton, J. D. (2014). Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management. 8th ed. Pearson.

Mengel, K., Kirkby, E. A., Kosegarten, H., & Appel, T. (2001). Principles of Plant Nutrition. 5th ed. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Marschner, P. (Ed.). (2012). Marschner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. 3rd ed. Academic Press.

Suriadikarta, D. A., Setyorini, D., & Hartatik, W. (2004). Petunjuk Teknis Uji Mutu dan Efektivitas Pupuk Alternatif Anorganik. Balai Penelitian Tanah, Departemen Pertanian Republik Indonesia.

Kementerian Pertanian Republik Indonesia. (2018). Pedoman Pengawasan Pupuk dan Pestisida. Direktorat Jenderal Prasarana dan Sarana Pertanian.

Kementerian Pertanian Republik Indonesia. (2026). Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 7 Tahun 2026 tentang Peraturan Pelaksanaan Undang-Undang Nomor 22 Tahun 2019 tentang Sistem Budi Daya Pertanian Berkelanjutan.