Moroccan fertilizer producer and exporter OCP's phosphates production has been disrupted by ongoing bad weather at key ports, while exports out of Jorf Lasfar port continue to be delayed.
Disruptions to sulphur unloading at the port of Safi has hampered phosphate production there.
High phosphate inventories at Jorf Lasfar are also clogging the supply chain, likely pressuring OCP to bring forward planned maintenances at some of its facilities. The extent of the losses in volume across products is unclear for now. But high stock levels at Jorf Lasfar mean exports can resume swiftly once the weather improves.
Vessels scheduled to load at Jorf Lasfar, bound for destinations in Europe, Africa, Oceania, Latin America and North America, are waiting at the port, according to Argus line-up data, and are likely delayed.
Port authorities have delayed the expected date for the resumption of shipments by four days to 7 February.
Jorf Lasfar is the main port from which Morocco exports phosphates — bad weather has been keeping vessels idle since 20 January. DAP and MAP buyers have expressed concerns about delays.
OCP last week reported disruptions for shipments of feed grade phosphoric acid out of Safi, adding that congestion at Casablanca ports are disrupting feed phosphate and soluble MAP container exports.
