In 2018, the gross nitrogen balance decreased slightly by 3.2% (corresponding to 5,262 tonnes) compared to 2017, even though the trend in the last five years has been towards stabilization. Nonetheless, there was an excess of 159 thousand tonnes, equivalent to 44 kg of nitrogen per hectare of Utilized Agricultural Area (UAA), against 46 kg in the previous year.
This evolution is justified by the decrease of 3.2% in the incorporation of this nutrient into the soil, compared to 2017, namely due to the reduction of inorganic fertilizers incorporated in the soil (-5.0%), and the reduction of the incorporation of manure in the soil (-2.9%). On the other hand, the removal of nitrogen from the soil by agricultural crops, fodder and pastures also decreased (-3.1%).