Phosphates
Overview
The global phosphates market has witnessed increasing volatility, in response to military conflicts, political tensions and changing market dynamics. Price fluctuations have continued to buffet the market, with increasing demand from south and Southeast Asia the main regions driving consumption growth. Rising raw material prices and improved affordability have lifted prices once again.
Phosphates' usage is also not solely limited to fertilizers. Battery-material suppliers are increasingly seeking to source phosphate rock and specialty phosphates-based products to meet the rapidly rising demand for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries for electric vehicle production.
Our extensive phosphates coverage includes DAP, MAP, TSP and SSP, as well as raw materials phosphate rock and phosphoric acid, with assessments also spanning feed products MCP and DCP. Argus has many decades of experience covering the phosphates market and incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including sulphur and ammonia to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Daily and weekly phosphates price assessments, proprietary data and market commentary
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of processed phosphate and phosphate rock prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest phosphate news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global phosphate industry.
Indian government raises NBS for N, P, S
Indian government raises NBS for N, P, S
London, 8 April (Argus) — The Indian government has raised the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) for nitrogen, phosphate and sulphur each by 10pc for the April-September kharif season, while holding the rate for potash steady . The NBS applies to phosphate and potash-based fertilizers including DAP, MOP and NPKs. It does not cover urea. The latest subsidy rates per nutrient are as follows: Rs47.32/kg for nitrogen Rs52.76/kg for phosphate Rs2.38/kg for potash Rs3.16.kg for sulphur The government has stated a tentative budgetary requirement for the season at 415bn rupees ($4.5bn), up by Rs43bn from the budgetary requirement for the 2025 kharif season. This raises the NBS for DAP to around Rs32,787/t ($355/t), and keeps the NBS for MOP at Rs1,428/t. Despite the rise in the subsidy, Indian DAP importers and producers would make a loss if receiving only the NBS and the maximum retail price of Rs27,000/t. Market participants expect the government to maintain the additional financial support for DAP importers and producers beyond the nutrient-based subsidy, but no official confirmation has yet emerged. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mosaic to close SSP facility in Brazil
Mosaic to close SSP facility in Brazil
London, 8 April (Argus) — Fertilizer producer Mosaic today announced the closure and sale of its 243,000 t/yr P2O5 Araxa SSP production site in Brazil's southeast Minas Gerais state. Mosaic said it will also idle mining activities at the 1.3mn t/yr Patrocinio mine, also in Minas Gerais. The producer explained that the closure of the facility will reduce its phosphate output by an estimated 1mn t/yr, and that the decision is aimed at reducing costs. Mosaic did not comment on activity at its Fospar SSP production site in southern Parana state, which had stopped production in December last year. The decision comes as sulphur prices continue to firm. Mosaic first idled Araxa and Parana on 16 December , pinning the decision on a sharp increase in sulphur prices. At the time, sulphur costs had already reached $540-550/t cfr Brazil. The latest weekly assessment puts sulphur at $720-730/t cfr Brazil. By Adrien Seewald Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Egypt’s NCIC sells DAP, SSP higher in tender
Egypt’s NCIC sells DAP, SSP higher in tender
London, 7 April (Argus) — Egyptian fertilizer producer NCIC has awarded its latest tender to sell DAP and SSP , which closed on 4 April, at higher prices. NCIC has reported the following awards: 10,000t of DAP at $840/t fob, split between three buyers — NCIC last sold 10,000t of DAP at $780/t fob in a tender that closed on 4 March 25,000t of SSP at $375/t fob to one buyer — NCIC sold 25,000t of SSP at $335/t fob in a tender that closed on 15 March No buy-side confirmation has been acknowledged, and the destinations for the cargoes are not yet known. Argus understands that Australia is the likely destination for the SSP, possibly to be shipped in combination with the 25,000t that NCIC sold under its 15 March tender, although that product was initially confirmed for shipment to Brazil. Reports have circulated of a trader position for Egyptian SSP to Australia at the equivalent of $370/t fob Egypt. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Morocco’s OCP to cut production in 2Q
Morocco’s OCP to cut production in 2Q
London, 2 April (Argus) — Morocco's OCP is bringing forward scheduled maintenance at several plants, the firm said. Maintenance at some OCP plants will begin next week, although it has not said which plants will begin maintenance first. The works will affect up to 30pc of OCP's second-quarter production capacity, the company said. Morocco exported 4.40mn t of DAP, 2.71mn t of MAP and 2.98mn t of TSP last year, according to Argus data. OCP has not given a reason for its decision, but tight supply of sulphur and ammonia — key raw materials for phosphates production — following the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz are likely to be the main drivers. The Middle East supplied 52pc of Morocco's sulphur imports last year. Bad weather disrupted operations at Moroccan ports earlier this year, curbing OCP's production and exports. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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