In the period after 2005, the consumption of nitrogen from mineral fertilizers has on average been slightly below the target value for 2020 (28,000 t N/year). In the period up to 2012, nitrogen consumption declined, after which it increased again in 2014 and 2015, and again declined in the period 2016–2018. The increased consumption in 2014 and 2015 is attributed to extremely favourable harvests and thus the increased need of agricultural plants for nitrogen. Despite the increase in nitrogen consumption from mineral fertilizers in 2014 and 2015, there was a very small balance surplus of nitrogen in those years. We expect that measures for more rational use of nitrogen in agriculture will keep nitrogen consumption from mineral fertilizers below 28,000 t per year and that the 2020 target will be achieved.