The Ultimate Guide: How to Store Nongda Fertilizer for Longer Shelf Life Without Loss of Efficacy

Due to the nature of fertilizers, chemical fertilizers can generally be stored for long periods as long as they are properly handled. However, it’s important to remember one key prerequisite: proper storage is essential—proper storage, and again, proper storage! To this end, the Quality Management Department of Nongda Fertilizer has developed the following storage guidelines for the company’s three main fertilizer categories; please refer to them.

1. Avoid sun exposure

The higher the temperature and the greater the humidity, the more pronounced their impact on fertilizer quality. Compound fertilizer products should be stored at temperatures below 30°C; it is recommended to keep them in a dry, well-ventilated, shaded indoor environment with relative humidity between 40% and 70%, maintaining a clearance of at least 30 cm from walls. Avoid outdoor storage.

Special Note: The “Humic Acid+” series of fertilizers from the Agricultural University is specially formulated with active humic acid. Humic acid’s key properties—hygroscopicity, water solubility, and compatibility—promote nutrient uptake and plant growth. However, it is also highly prone to moisture absorption and pulverization. Therefore, it must be stored away from light (including light transmitted through windows, skylights, and other openings) and protected from heat (such as by covering outdoor stockpiles with tarpaulins to prevent exposure to high temperatures).

The storage method is as follows:

2. Avoid stacking items too high.

Compound fertilizer products shall be stacked in a 50/50 pattern, with a maximum stack height of 20 layers, to prevent the bottom layers from caking due to excessive pressure.

3. Avoid prolonged backlog

Although fertilizers do not have a clearly defined shelf life, prolonged storage may lead to caking or pulverization; therefore, inventory management should follow the “first‑in, first‑out” principle. Products stored for extended periods should be covered with tarpaulins to maintain their appearance and keep them clean.

4. Avoid mixed product placement and ensure clear product labeling.

Fertilizers of different types shall not be mixed in piles or loose packages to prevent chemical reactions arising from interactions between varieties, which could result in nutrient losses. Products from different batches shall not be stored together to avoid color variations that might lead users to suspect counterfeit goods. A product identification label must be conspicuously displayed at the front of each batch, and the label must remain clear and bear accurate, error-free information.

1. Avoid sun exposure

It is best to store the product in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated indoor space, away from windows and doorways. Microbial cultures are living organisms; maintain a storage temperature between 4°C and 28°C, with an ideal range below 10°C. Avoid outdoor storage. Implement appropriate preventive measures against fire, moisture, pests, and physical damage, and display warning signs.

2. Avoid stacking items too high.  

Boxed products must never be inverted. For liquid fertilizer in drums, stack them vertically in a staggered, overlapping pattern; do not place them in a crisscross configuration. Stacking should be neat and tightly aligned to prevent gaps or tilting between boxes, ensuring even distribution of load on the cartons. Powdered fertilizers should not exceed eight layers, while liquid fertilizers should not exceed five layers.

3. Avoid exposure to moisture and soaking.

Boxed products must be placed on a moisture‑proof pallet at least 10 cm thick to prevent the cartons from becoming damp due to ground moisture, which could compromise their quality. Additionally, ensure protection from rain to avoid fertilizer being wetted or soaked. When handling boxed liquid‑form products, do not lift by the packing straps, as this may damage the cartons; instead, grasp the box with both hands and handle it gently, avoiding stepping on the packaging. Failure to do so may easily lead to carton damage and leakage from the containers.

4. Avoid accumulation of dust and debris.

Prolonged storage may lead to compaction and crystallization; inventory management should follow the “first‑in, first‑out” principle. When storing, it is advisable to cover with a tarpaulin to prevent dust and maintain cleanliness.

Please accept the above guidelines!

We sincerely hope you can use better fertilizer—and use it the right way.

Wishing your life prosperity and success!