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.
Saudi Maaden looks to Yanbu for phosphates exports
Saudi Maaden looks to Yanbu for phosphates exports
London, 17 March (Argus) — Saudi Arabian phosphates producer Maaden is aiming to resume exports through the country's west coast port of Yanbu in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has typically exported phosphates from the eastern port of Ras Al-Khair in the Mideast Gulf. But shipments from the port to global destinations must pass through the strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked in response to attacks by the US and Israel starting on 28 February. Maaden expects phosphate shipments from Yanbu to pick up in April. The company reported selling 15,000t of MAP to South America last week for loading this month. The cargo will likely load from Yanbu. Argus understands that Maaden will need to transport phosphates from its production facilities at Ras Al-Khair to Yanbu by truck. The logistics will likely limit the total volume that Maaden can export via Yanbu. But the return of Saudi Arabian phosphates to the market could help to ease globally tight supplies. Saudi Arabia accounted for 19pc of global combined DAP and MAP exports in 2025, according to Argus data. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Egypt’s NCIC sells SSP/SOP higher in tender
Egypt’s NCIC sells SSP/SOP higher in tender
London, 17 March (Argus) — Egyptian producer NCIC has confirmed the following awards in its latest tender to sell fertilizers for loading this month, which closed on 15 March: 25,000t of SSP at $335/t fob to one buyer — the full quantity offered in the tender 1,200t of SOP at $620-630/t fob — NCIC offered 1,500t in the tender The SSP contains 20.8pc total P2O5 on a dry basis — Argus understands that NCIC's SSP contains maximum 4pc moisture — and 16.44pc water soluble P2O5 on a dry basis, according to analysis as of 15 March. The awarded price for the SSP marks a substantial increase from fellow producer Efic's sale of 35,000t of a comparable grade of SSP — around 19pc citrate soluble P2O5 — at $255/t fob Egypt in early March for shipment in April. NCIC has confirmed that the SSP is destined for Brazil. The war in the Middle East has supported oil prices and pushed up freight from Egypt to Brazil to $30-35/t for a 30,000-35,000t bulk cargo. The awarded price probably nets forward to $365-370/t cfr Brazil, far above the latest assessments of $280-290/t cfr for 19pc SSP and $300-320/t cfr for 20pc SSP. The SOP is probably water-soluble and is packed in 25kg bags. The awarded price is significantly higher than NCIC's previous sale of 500t of water-soluble SOP at $575/t fob under its 19 February tender. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Maaden, OCP sell MAP, TSP to Latam
Maaden, OCP sell MAP, TSP to Latam
London, 12 March (Argus) — Saudi Arabia's Maaden and Morocco's OCP have reported sales of MAP and TSP to Latin America at higher levels. Maaden has reported selling 15,000t of MAP at $815-820/t cfr South America for shipment this month. The cargo is likely destined for Argentina but Maaden did not comment when asked about the exact destination. The producer also did not provide details on how the cargo will ship, given that Saudi Arabia exports phosphates from Ras Al-Khair, and shipments to and from the port must pass through the strait of Hormuz, which Iran has declared closed . OCP has reported selling 50,000t of MAP and 10,000t of TSP to Latin America excluding Brazil — also likely to include Argentina — at $810-820/t cfr and $645-650/t cfr, respectively, for shipment in April. It also reported selling 30,000t of MAP to Brazil at $800-805/t cfr for shipment in April. The MAP prices net back to $775-790/t fob Morocco while TSP nets back to $615-625/t fob. Direct buy-side confirmation for the sales could not be obtained, but the MAP sales likely to Argentina are in line with Argentinian buy-side indications and reports of sales during the week. Brazilian buyers report sales at up to $800/t cfr this week. No buy-side confirmations for deals above this level have yet emerged. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia's Dyno Nobel to sell Phosphate Hill plant
Australia's Dyno Nobel to sell Phosphate Hill plant
Sydney, 9 March (Argus) — Australian explosives company Dyno Nobel will sell its 769,000 t/yr Phosphate Hill fertilizer plant to Australian energy and resources company Mayfair's wholly owned subsidiary Ryowa II GPS for up to A$100mn ($70mn), the company said today. The finalisation of the sale on 1 April depends on agreements between Dyno Nobel, Mayfair, the Queensland government, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Dyno Nobel said. Dyno Nobel will close Phosphate Hill by 30 September 2026 if the sale is unsuccessful, the company said. The agreement includes around A$80mn of inventory from Phosphate Hill. Dyno Nobel will provide A$125.9mn to support the future rehabilitation and remediation of the facility. The sale also ensures employment for current employees, allowing the facility to continue to provide a domestic fertilizer supply, Dyno Nobel said. Extended closures of the Mount Isa railway affected Phosphate Hill's operations over July 2025-February 2026. The facility depends on sulphuric acid supply from Glencore's Mount Isa copper smelter and refinery . Phosphate Hill generated A$233.2mn of earnings ending before interest and taxes in the October 2024-September 2025 financial year, the company said on in November 2025. It has generated A$33mn in its October 2025-September 2026 financial year to date, it said. Glencore received a A$600mn aid package from the Australian government to support the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, allowing the company to continue operations and invest in upgrades, Glencore said in October 2025. Glencore and Phosphate Hill operations are interlinked, Australia's minister for industry Tim Ayres said in an interview on 18 February. They are interoperable, and it is very important that Phosphate Hill's owners operate in the regional interest and invest in the site, Ayres added. Mayfair did not respond to comment by time of publishing. Glencore will monitor Phosphate Hill developments related to the Mount Isa acid plant, the company told Argus on 9 March. By Susannah Cornford and Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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