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.
Phosphate operations unaffected by drone strike: ICL
Phosphate operations unaffected by drone strike: ICL
London, 25 March (Argus) — Israeli fertilizer producer and exporter ICL has reported no damage to its phosphate mining and production operations following an Iranian drone strike on the Rotem Industrial Zone near the port of Ashdod. The rocket fell on an area of open ground near ICL's plant, the producer said. ICL exports 20pc SSP and TSP. Global prices for both have risen because of tight supply and higher raw material prices, driven by the war in the Middle East. China's TSP and SSP export halt is likely to further support demand for Israeli exports. By Adrien Seewald Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Pupuk Indonesia issues DAP buy tender
Pupuk Indonesia issues DAP buy tender
Singapore, 24 March (Argus) — State-owned fertilizer company Pupuk Indonesia has issued a tender to buy a total of 175,000t of light or yellow granular 16-45 and/or 18-46 DAP for shipment over July-December on behalf of four of its subsidiaries. The tender closes on 27 March, with the auction date to be announced at a later date. Offers are to be submitted as a discount to a formula price based on Argus Phosphates ' DAP cfr southeast Asia price assessment. Petrokimia Gresik (PKG) is seeking 70,000t of DAP for delivery to Gresik port, with four shipments of 10,000-20,000t each scheduled from July to November. Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) is seeking 45,000t of DAP for delivery to Bontang port, with three lots of 15,000t to be shipped from July to November. Pupuk Sriwidjaja Palembang (PSP) is seeking 40,000t of DAP for delivery to Boom Baru port, with eight shipments of 5,000-10,000t each from July to December. Pupuk Kujang (PKC) is seeking 20,000t of DAP for delivery either to Tanjung Priok or Cigading port, to be shipped in two lots of 10,000t each from September to November 2026. Pupuk Indonesia last issued a buy tender for 25,000t of standard light or yellow granular 18-46 DAP on behalf of KJC in November 2025, with offers also submitted as a discount to a formula price. Unstable global DAP supply, surging freight rates and rising raw material costs since the outbreak of war in the Middle East have pushed global DAP prices sharply higher. DAP prices in southeast Asia firmed to $800–850/t cfr on 19 March, up from $730–750/t cfr on 26 February before the conflict. Offers submitted for this tender are also expected to remain elevated. By Hui Xuan Lek Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US farm groups call for end to phos duties
US farm groups call for end to phos duties
Houston, 23 March (Argus) — Over 60 US grower associations and groups called for the end of countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizers in a recent letter to the Department of Commerce, arguing that allowing the CVDs to remain will further worsen domestic farmer economics that are being compounded by the Iran conflict. Both national and state focused grower associations addressed Commerce in a letter on 20 March as the department conducts its five-year sunset review of the CVDs on US phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia that have been in place since March 2021 . The letterargued that CVDs on phosphate imports limit supply options for US farmers, resulting in lower crop yields. The letter noted how 40pc of many US growers' operating costs went towards fertilizers in 2025, and that price increases of critical inputs affect planting decisions as well as the long-term viability and livelihoods of farmers. US farmers often rely on fertilizer imports to fill the gaps in supply that cannot be entirely maintained by domestic production. "The United States simply does not have sufficient domestic phosphate resources to meet agricultural demand on its own," the letter states. Access to reliable alternative sources of phosphates is critical to maintaining a competitive and resilient market , and when import duties substantially restrict that access, prices rise, the grower associations added. Phosphate prices have been volatile in the past year after US president Donald Trump enacted import tariffs that deterred offshore suppliers from sending shipments to the US. Though these tariffs were lifted in November 2025, the closing of the strait of Hormuz resulting from the US/Israel war with Iran has again cut off supply options for US buyers. Since the start of the Iran conflict, Nola DAP prices have increased by $49/st to $665/st fob Nola as of last week, while Nola MAP prices have increased by about $38/st to $710/st fob. In comparison, Nola DAP and MAP prices averaged roughly from $605-610/st fob heading into March 2025. The CVDs on Moroccan and Russian phosphate imports have left the US without supply from the two major exporters that do not rely on the strait of Hormuz, making the US particularly vulnerable to the disruption of traffic through the waterway ahead of the spring and fall seasons, depending on how long the ongoing conflict continues. The sunset review of the CVDs began earlier this month and could last at least 360 days if not expedited. By Taylor Zavala Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US Senate seeks reporting of weekly ferts sales data
US Senate seeks reporting of weekly ferts sales data
Houston, 20 March (Argus) — A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate on 19 March would require manufacturers and wholesalers of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer products to report prices and quantities weekly for public disclosure. The Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026, introduced by senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and John Thune (R–South Dakota), would mandate the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect and publish data on fertilizer prices, production volumes, and sales volumes from both domestic and foreign manufacturers and wholesalers selling into the US market. The identities of individuals and contract parties will remain confidential. "At a time when rising fertilizer costs and low commodity prices are continuing to erode farmers' profitability, we should be increasing price transparency for farmers in the current market," Klobuchar said. Weekly reports will include data for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Prices and quantities for finished fertilizers, including urea and UAN, will also be reported. The data will clearly distinguish US-manufactured and imported products to ensure transparency around import reliance. Cooperatives and non-manufacturer retailers are exempt from mandatory reporting but may choose to report voluntarily and confidentially through a price survey and commercially available estimates, which will be published in the Agricultural Marketing Service. All information will be made publicly available to farmers and market participants, and will be published on a national and, where appropriate, statewide basis. Co-sponsors to this bill are senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). The senators introduced a bill in September 2025 that direct the USDA to publish a comprehensive report analyzing trends in the US fertilizer industry to help farmers better manage input costs. Separately, senator Klobuchar, along with senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), introduced the Homegrown Fertilizer Act which would create a grant and loan program to expand domestic fertilizer production and improve fertilizer storage capacity, the US Senate Agriculture Committee said. By Sneha Kumar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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