Moroccan DAP/MAP phosphate fertilizer exports continue to reflect OCP's changing export strategy as it looks to place its expanding output, data from statistics service GTIS show.
January-August DAP exports were up by 39pc on the year at 1.16mn t. There were sizeable increases in exports to all top destinations with the exception of Turkey. The US was the largest recipient, taking 248,000t, a rise of 13pc. OCP has consistently moved supply to the US in 2016, either directly or through traders, as it has looked to maintain market share.
The other notable destination was India, a market usually outside OCP's purview. The company usually ships phosphoric acid raw materials to India. The shipments reflect the new reality of the global DAP market, with Indian dominating with a 30-50pc share of global trade.
Kenya was the third-largest destination, receiving 86,000t, compared with nothing in the previous two years. The increase is likely to stem from changing regulations on cadmium content in DAP.
OCP has also targeted central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean markets. The company shipped 78,000t to Romania and 57,000t to Bulgaria. Shipments to Turkey declined by over 40pc to 65,000t, possibly the result of an increase in imports from Tunisia.
August DAP exports reached 162,000t, with 54,000t going to India, 22,000t to the US, 18,000t to Kenya and around 17,000t each to Romania and Bulgaria.
MAP exports were up by 44pc at 1.4mn t. Exports to Brazil increased by 25pc to 545,000t. The US was the next largest recipient, taking 266,000t, which was up by 68pc, while Argentina imported 150,000t compared with nothing a year earlier. August MAP exports reached 228,000t, with 124,000t going to Brazil, 34,000t to South Africa and 22,000t to the US.
