The phosphorus (P) balance represents the difference between the input of P on agricultural land and the uptake of P from agricultural land with harvested crops. The total input is the sum of P, which is applied to the agricultural land with livestock fertilizers, mineral fertilizers, other organic fertilizers (sewage sludge, compost, digestates) and P, which comes to agricultural land with seeds and planting material. Uptake of P represents P in harvested crops. Long-term balance surplus P leads to an increase in P stocks in the soil and poses a potential risk for water, whereas the long-term balance deficit of P poses a potential risk for declining of soil fertility. It should be pointed out that this is a potential risk, as the actual risk depends on many factors, such as soil supply with P, meteorological conditions, the ability of the soil to bind P, farming methods, etc. Unlike nitrogen (N), which is characterized by a relatively rapid transition from soil to water and air, P is relatively stable in the soil. Long-term surpluses/deficits of P can be problematic, whereas the surpluses/deficits in the individual years do not have a significant impact on the environment and soil fertility.

The P balance was expressed in tonnes at the national level and in kilograms of P per hectare of utilized agricultural area. Data for the period 1992–2019 are presented. The structure of input and output is also presented and the comparison with the countries of the European Union (EU-28) is given.