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Top 10 Phosphate Countries by Production
Phosphate demand is rising as the expanding global population boosts the agricultural industry. Find out which top phosphate-producing countries are feeding this demand.
![Combine harvester harvests ripe wheat.](https://investingnews.com/media-library/combine-harvester-harvests-ripe-wheat.jpg?id=31835610&width=1200&height=800&quality=80&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C1)
Phosphate is mainly used in the form of fertilizer for crops and animal feed supplements. Only 5 percent of world phosphate production is used in other applications, such as corrosion prevention and detergents.
Demand for phosphate fertilizers had created a US$54.6 billion market by 2023, and that figure is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3 percent through 2030 to reach US$78.4 billion.
"One of the primary factors influencing the worldwide market for phosphate fertilizers is the increasing focus on sustainable agriculture," according to Persistence Market Research. "Phosphate fertilizers, which are widely recognized for their ability to augment soil fertility and enhance crop productivity, are crucial for the pursuit of sustainability objectives in the agricultural industry."
In its latest phosphate report, the US Geological Survey (USGS) states that global production of phosphate slipped in 2023 alongside lower demand in reaction to 2022's high phosphate prices. Most of 2023 was marked by volatility in the market lower production met with increased consumption.
"World consumption of P2O5 contained in fertilizers was estimated to have been 45.7 million tons in 2023 compared with 43.8 million tons in 2022," the USGS reported. "World consumption of P2O5 in fertilizers was projected to increase to 50 million tons by 2027. The leading regions for growth were expected to be Asia and South America."
Those interested in the phosphate mining sector will want to keep an eye on phosphate production and mining companies in the space. Below are 2023’s top phosphate countries by production based on data from the USGS.
1. China
Mine production: 90 million metric tons
China’s phosphate production decreased in 2023 to 90 million metric tons (MT), down from 93 million MT in 2022, but it is still first on the list of top phosphate-producing countries by a long shot. The drop in Chinese output is likely a result of the nation’s environmental crackdown on the mining industry.
The country also has the second largest phosphate reserves in the world, with 2.8 billion MT of the commodity. China’s government has placed restrictions on phosphate exports in an effort to drive down domestic prices of the fertilizer with its own supply. China is also the third largest producer of potash.
2. Morocco
Mine production: 35 million metric tons
As the second largest phosphate-producing country, Morocco produced 35 million metric tons of the fertilizer in 2023, down from 39 million MT from the previous year. The North African nation’s phosphate output is expected to increased in the coming years due to ongoing capacity expansions expected to be completed by 2026.
Despite producing significantly less phosphate than China in 2023, Morocco has the largest phosphate reserves. With 50 billion MT, the country accounts for over 67 percent of total global phosphate reserves.
3. United States
Mine production: 20 million metric tons
In 2023, US phosphate mining fell by only 200,000 metric tons from the previous year. The nation's nine producing phosphate mines are located across four states: Florida, North Carolina, Idaho and Utah. Global giant Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) is one of the largest phosphate producers in the US, with operations in Florida.
Most phosphate rock mined in the US is used for manufacturing phosphoric acid and superphosphoric acid. These types of wet-process phosphate products are used for items such as animal feed supplements. About half of this type of phosphate is exported in the form of merchant-grade phosphoric acid, granular diammonium and monoammonium phosphate fertilizer.
4. Russia
Mine production: 14 million metric tons
Russia’s phosphate output in 2023 was on par with the previous year, coming in at 14 million metric tons. As per the US Geological Survey, the country has phosphate reserves of 2.4 billion MT. Russia is also the second largest producer of potash.
This occurred despite the nation's ongoing war with Ukraine and the subsequent trade sanctions placed on Russia. European nations were previously Russia's biggest phosphate customers in the global market, but the country's war in Ukraine initially had an impact, directly influencing phosphate prices. As CRU Group expected, shipments to Brazil, India and elsewhere supported Russian phosphate exports.
5. Jordan
Mine production: 12 million metric tons
Jordan’s phosphate mining output rose slightly from the previous year, coming in at 12 million metric tons in 2023. Its phosphate reserves stand at an estimated 1 billion MT.
The country’s sole state-owned phosphate producer is Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, which has offtake deals with several Indian firms. The company bills itself as the second largest phosphate exporter, and the sixth largest producer of phosphate in the world. It reports that its production capacity exceeds 11 million tons of phosphate annually.
6. Saudi Arabia
Mine production: 8.5 million metric tons
Saudi Arabia produced 8.5 million MT of phosphate last year, down by 500,000 metric tons from 2022’s output level. The country is sitting on 1.4 billion MT of phosphate reserves.
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company, also known as Ma’aden, which produces up to 5 million tonnes of concentrated phosphate rock per year. The Wa’ad Al Shamal Minerals Industrial City, an integrated phosphate fertilizer production complex, is a US$8 billion joint venture investment between Ma’aden (60 percent), chemical manufacturer SABIC (TADAWUL:2010) (15 percent) and the Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) (25 percent), the largest potash and phosphate producer in the US.
7. Brazil
Mine production: 5.3 million metric tons
Brazil, another of the top phosphate countries by production, produced 5.3 million metric tons of phosphate in 2023 compared to 6.2 million MT in 2022. Brazil has a booming agricultural sector and is one of the world's largest fertilizer consumers and importers.
Mosaic is the country’s largest producer of phosphate and nitrogen. It also operates Brazil's only potash mine. Swedish fertilizer company Eurochem launched a new US$1 billion phosphate fertilizer production facility in State of Minas Gerais, Brazil in April 2024. The facility has a phosphate mine and plant complex with an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes of advanced phosphate fertilizers.
8. Egypt
Mine production: 4.8 million metric tons
Egypt’s phosphate-mining production in 2023 was 4.8 million metric tons, down 200,000 MT from 2022 output levels. According to the US Geological Survey, Egypt’s phosphate reserves now sit at 2.8 billion MT. More of those reserves may get dug up in the future as the country builds a new phosphate industrial zone in Aswan. It will also expand the port in Safaga.
9. Peru
Mine production: 4 million metric tons
Peru's phosphate output of 4 million metric tons in 2023 was on par with the previous year. About 98 percent of US phosphate imports originate from Peru.
Peru's investment agency ProInversión made a US$940 million commitment in mid-2024 for the expansion Fosfatos del PacÃfico's Bayóvar mine in Piura region, which is expected to bolster the country's domestic phosphate production for the next 10 years.
10. Tunisia
Mine production: 3.6 million metric tons
Tunisia’s phosphate output in 2023 was nearly on par with the previous year, coming in at 3.6 million metric tons. The country has the fourth highest phosphate reserves in the world, coming at 2.5 billion MT.
The North African country has been rising among the ranks of the world's largest phosphate producing nations. Last year, Tunisia’s state-owned phosphate firm Gafsa Phosphate Company ramped up its production as part of its US$76 million investment program.
FAQS for phosphate
What are phosphates?
Phosphates are compounds that usually include phosphorous and oxygen, and can have one or more common elements, such as sodium, calcium, potassium and aluminum.
Where are phosphate compounds found?
Phosphate is mostly found in phosphate rock, a non-detrital sedimentary rock that contains high amounts of phosphate minerals. Phosphate rock can come in different forms such as quartz, calcite, dolomite, apatite, iron oxide minerals and clay minerals.
Is phosphate the same as phosphorus in fertilizer?
Phosphate is the natural source of phosphorous, which provides essential nutrients for plant growth and development.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Melissa Pistilli has been reporting on the markets and educating investors since 2006. She has covered a wide variety of industries in the investment space including mining, cannabis, tech and pharmaceuticals. She helps to educate investors about opportunities in a variety of growth markets. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in English education as well as a master's degree in the teaching of writing, both from Humboldt State University, California.
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Melissa Pistilli has been reporting on the markets and educating investors since 2006. She has covered a wide variety of industries in the investment space including mining, cannabis, tech and pharmaceuticals. She helps to educate investors about opportunities in a variety of growth markets. Melissa holds a bachelor's degree in English education as well as a master's degree in the teaching of writing, both from Humboldt State University, California.
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