1. China
Phosphate manufacturing: 110 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 3.7 billion metric tons
China’s phosphate manufacturing elevated in 2024 to 110 million metric tons (MT), up from 105 million MT in 2023, putting it as primary on the listing of high phosphate-producing nations by a protracted shot. China has the second largest phosphate reserves on this planet at 3.7 billion metric tons of phosphate. The nation can also be the fourth largest producer of fellow fertilizer mineral potash.
The rise in Chinese language output got here in regardless of of the nation’s environmental crackdown on the mining business. China’s authorities has positioned restrictions on phosphate exports in an effort to drive down home costs of the fertilizer with its personal provide. In December 2024, China halted new export functions for phosphate because of the rising price of sulfur. The fabric is important within the separation of phosphates from rock.
2. Morocco
Phosphate manufacturing: 30 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 50 billion metric tons
Because the second largest phosphate-producing nation, Morocco produced 30 million metric tons of the fertilizer in 2024, down from 33 million MT within the earlier yr. The North African nation’s phosphate output is anticipated to elevated within the coming years on account of ongoing capability expansions, that are anticipated to be accomplished by 2027.
Morocco’s phosphate manufacturing comes from state-owned fertilizer firm OCP Group’s mines, together with its Gantour operation, one of many world’s largest phosphate mines.
Morocco holds the world’s largest phosphate reserves at 50 billion metric tons, accounting for over 67 % of complete international phosphate reserves.
3. United States
Phosphate manufacturing: 20 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 1 billion metric tons
In 2024, US phosphate mining manufacturing totaled 20 million metric tons, up barely by 400,000 metric tons from the earlier yr. The nation’s 10 producing phosphate mines are positioned throughout 4 states: Florida, North Carolina, Idaho and Utah.
The 2 largest phosphate mining firms within the US are Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) and Nutrien (TSX:NTR). World big Mosaic’s Florida phosphates operation includes three producing mines: 4 Corners, South Fort Meade and Wingate. The three mines mixed for 8,900 MT of phosphate rock focus in 2024. Nutrien operates the Aurora mine in North Carolina and White Springs mine in Utah.
Most phosphate rock mined within the US is used for manufacturing phosphoric acid and superphosphoric acid. A majority of these wet-process phosphate merchandise are used for objects reminiscent of animal feed dietary supplements. A few quarter of that is exported within the type of merchant-grade phosphoric acid, upgraded granular diammonium and monoammonium phosphate fertilizer, in addition to different fertilizer merchandise, in accordance with the USGS.
4. Russia
Phosphate manufacturing: 14 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 2.4 billion metric tons
Russia produced 14 million metric tons of phosphate in 2024, down by 1 million MT from the earlier yr, and the nation’s phosphate reserves complete 2.4 billion metric tons. Russia can also be the second largest producer of potash.
A good portion of Russia’s phosphate is produced by PhosAgro subsidiary Apatit from apatite minerals on the Khibiny deposit, which is positioned east of Finland in Russia’s Kola Peninsula. Phosphate operations are additionally present in Perm Krai on the Oleniy Ruchey apatite mine and processing facility owned by the Acron Group’s North-Western Phosphorous Firm.
European nations had been beforehand Russia’s greatest phosphate prospects within the international market, however the nation’s battle in Ukraine initially had an impression, instantly influencing phosphate costs. Nonetheless, Russian phosphate exports had been supported via will increase in shipments to nations together with India and Brazil.
5. Jordan
Phosphate manufacturing: 12 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 1 billion metric tons
Jordan’s phosphate manufacturing got here in at 12 million metric tons in 2024, rising barely from the earlier yr. Jordan’s phosphate reserves stand at an estimated 1 billion MT.
The nation’s sole phosphate producer is state-owned Jordan Phosphate Mines Firm, which operates as a phosphate miner and fertilizer producer. The corporate payments itself because the second largest phosphate exporter and the sixth largest producer of phosphate on this planet, with mixed manufacturing capability between its three mines exceeding 11 million metric tons of phosphate yearly.
6. Saudi Arabia
Phosphate manufacturing: 9.5 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 1 billion metric tons
Saudi Arabia produced 9.5 million metric tons of phosphate in 2024, down by 400,000 MT from 2023’s output stage. The nation is sitting on 1 billion MT of phosphate reserves. The Saudi Arabian Mining Firm, also called Ma’aden, produces as much as 5 million metric tons of concentrated phosphate rock per yr.
The Wa’advert Al Shamal Minerals Industrial Metropolis, an built-in phosphate fertilizer manufacturing advanced, is a US$8 billion three way partnership funding between Ma’aden at 60 %, chemical producer Saudi Fundamental Industries (TADAWUL:2010) at 15 % and US fertilizer big Mosaic at 25 %. Nonetheless, in January 2025, Mosaic offered its stake for US$1.5 billion in Ma’aden shares, bringing the latter firm’s curiosity to 85 %.
7. Brazil
Phosphate manufacturing: 5.3 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 1.6 billion metric tons
Brazil, one other of the highest phosphate nations by manufacturing, produced 5.3 million metric tons of phosphate in 2024, almost on par with its manufacturing within the earlier yr. Brazil has a booming agricultural sector and is among the world’s largest fertilizer shoppers and importers. Extra phosphate manufacturing capability within the nation is anticipated to return on-line in 2027.
Mosaic is the nation’s largest producer of each phosphate and nitrogen, and it additionally operates Brazil’s solely potash mine. Swedish fertilizer firm Eurochem launched a brand new US$1 billion phosphate fertilizer manufacturing facility within the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in April 2024. The ability has a phosphate mine and plant advanced with an annual manufacturing capability of 1 million MT of superior phosphate fertilizers.
8. Egypt
Phosphate manufacturing: 5 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 2.8 billion metric tons
Egypt’s phosphate-mining manufacturing in 2024 totalled 5 million metric tons, on par with 2023 output ranges. In response to the US Geological Survey, Egypt’s phosphate reserves now sit at 2.8 billion MT.
The phosphate firm Misr Phosphate operates the Abu Tartour, the Sibaiya and the Crimson Sea mines, all of which host excessive grades of phosphate.
9. Peru
Phosphate manufacturing: 4.7 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 210 million metric tons
Peru produced 4.7 million metric tons of phosphate in 2024, down by 300,000 MT from the earlier yr. About 98 % of US phosphate imports originate from Peru.
Peru’s funding company ProInversión made a US$940 million dedication in mid-2024 for the enlargement Fosfatos del Pacífico’s Bayóvar mine within the Piura area, which is anticipated to bolster the nation’s home phosphate manufacturing for the subsequent 10 years.
10. Tunisia
Phosphate manufacturing: 3.3 million metric tons
Phosphate reserves: 2.5 billion metric tons
Tunisia’s phosphate output in 2024 totaled 3.3 million metric tons, down from 3.6 million metric tons the earlier yr. Tunisia is house to the fourth highest phosphate reserves on this planet at 2.5 billion metric tons.
The North African nation has been rising among the many ranks of the world’s largest phosphate producing nations. In 2023 Tunisia’s state-owned phosphate agency Gafsa Phosphate Firm ramped up its manufacturing as a part of its US$76 million funding program.
FAQS for phosphate
What are phosphates?
Phosphates are compounds that normally embrace phosphorous and oxygen, and might have a number of frequent components, reminiscent of sodium, calcium, potassium and aluminum.
The place are phosphate compounds discovered?
Phosphate is generally present in phosphate rock, a non-detrital sedimentary rock that accommodates excessive quantities of phosphate minerals. Phosphate rock can come in numerous varieties reminiscent of quartz, calcite, dolomite, apatite, iron oxide minerals and clay minerals.
Is phosphate the identical as phosphorus in fertilizer?
Phosphate is the pure supply of phosphorous, which offers important vitamins for plant development and growth.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, maintain no direct funding curiosity in any firm talked about on this article.
