Published October 2021
Phosphorus is the second-most-widely used fertilizer nutrient, after nitrogen and before potassium, with phosphate rock being the most important source of phosphorus. Global production/consumption of phosphate rock is concentrated in mainland China, Africa, the United States, the CIS and Baltic States, and the Middle East.
World phosphate rock production decreased at 2.8% between 2016 and 2021. The large decline occurred in mainland China and the United States, while large growth occurred in Africa, the Middle East, and the CIS and Baltic States. Production from countries like Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia, and Kazakhstan has increased considerably. Driven by downstream fertilizer production and consumption, especially in Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and the CIS and Baltic States, global phosphate rock production/consumption during 2021–26 is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of about 0.8%.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of phosphate rock:
The primary market for phosphate rock is the production of phosphate fertilizer products such as ammonium phosphates and superphosphates. Phosphorus is essential for the development of roots in plants and assists in producing higher yields.
Mainland China is the largest consumer of phosphate rock, followed by Africa and the United States. The CIS and Baltic States and the Middle East are also large consumers. The largest increases since 2016 occurred in the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS and Baltic States, while significant declines occurred in mainland China and the United states.
The five largest corporate producers worldwide are OCP, S.A. (Morocco), Guizhou Phosphate Chemical (Group) Co., Ltd. (mainland China); Mosaic Company (United States); Apatit OAO (Russia); and Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd. (mainland China). Africa, the Middle East, and the CIS and Baltic States have dominated world phosphate rock exports. World trade is expected to remain stable during the forecast period as global demand increases.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
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