The Arabs lead…the 10 largest phosphate producing and exporting countries in the world | Economy

Phosphate is a compound consisting of one phosphorus atom molecularly bonded to 4 oxygen atoms. It is an important source of phosphorus, the main element in the manufacture of agricultural fertilizers that are important for crops and global food security. For this reason, phosphate reserves around the world are essential to societies and agricultural and food industries.

Phosphate is used in the manufacture of animal feed, as it is an essential element for the healthy growth of animals, which is why it is used in the manufacture of animal feed necessary in livestock and poultry raising operations.

The demand for phosphate continues to rise with the growing world population and the need for more food to meet the growing needs of humans, according to what was reported by the “Yahoo Finance” platform.

The value of the global phosphate market reached $78.1 billion in 2023, and this market is expected to grow to reach $176 billion in 2040 at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%, as the global demand for phosphate and phosphate fertilizers is rising due to the growing population, which leads to higher demand. On food, according to Grand View Research.

The 10 largest countries with phosphate reserves

The Arab countries possess the largest phosphate reserves in the world, as Morocco alone currently possesses approximately 50 billion metric tons (about 70% of the total phosphate in the world), and Egypt comes second with 2.8 billion metric tons, according to what the “World Publication Review” platform reported.

The following is a list of the top 10 countries with the highest phosphate reserves in 2023, according to the “World Publication Review” platform:

1. Morocco: 50 billion tons
2. Egypt: 2.8 billion tons
3. Tunisia: 2.5 billion tons
4. Algeria: 2.2 billion tons
5. China: 1.9 billion tons
6. Brazil: 1.6 billion tons
7. South Africa: 1.6 billion tons
8. Saudi Arabia: 1.4 billion tons
9. Australia: 1.1 billion tons
10. Jordan: One billion tons

The 10 largest phosphate producing countries

Although Morocco has the highest phosphate reserves in the world, it is not the first country in phosphate production, as China tops the list with 90 million metric tons, followed by Morocco with 35 million metric tons, and this is due to the development of the mining industry in China and the most productive countries.

The following is a list of the top 10 phosphate producing countries in 2023, according to the Statista platform:

1. China: 90 million metric tons
2. Morocco: 35 million metric tons
3. United States: 20 million metric tons
4. Russia: 14 million metric tons
5. Jordan: 12 million metric tons
6. Saudi Arabia: 8.5 million metric tons
7. Brazil: 5.3 million metric tons
8. Egypt: 4.8 million metric tons
9. Peru: 4.2 million metric tons
10. Tunisia: 3.6 million metric tons

The top 10 countries exporting phosphate fertilizers

Phosphate is the natural source of phosphorus, which is an essential nutrient for the growth of plants and crops. Food production decreases if the soil suffers from a lack of phosphorus, and therefore there is an urgent need for a sufficient amount of phosphate fertilizers to ensure strong and competitive agricultural production.

Agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, are among the main application areas of phosphate fertilizers, as fertilizers enhance root growth, crop quality, stem strength, and overall plant health.

Phosphate fertilizers are manufactured mainly from phosphate because it contains phosphorus, and estimates indicate that more than 80% of the phosphate produced annually is used to produce phosphate fertilizers (directly or through the production of phosphoric acid, and the remaining amount is used in other fields for phosphate, according to what the platform stated. Fertilizer (fertilizer.org).

The most widely used phosphate fertilizers are: diammonium phosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and other fertilizers. The first type is the most widely used in the world because of its high nutritional content and its excellent physical properties for the soil and plants. According to what was reported by the “Indorama” platform.

There are also compound fertilizers (NPKs), which contain the three nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, in different proportions. Morocco tops the list of countries exporting phosphate fertilizers in 2022.

The following is the list in dollars, according to the OEC World platform.

1. Morocco: $832 million (21.3%) of the global market size
2. China: $628 million (16.1%)
3. Egypt: $618 million (15.8%)
4. Israel: $572 million (14.6%)
5. Tunisia: $198 million (5.05%)
6. Bulgaria: $149 million (3.8%)
7. Lebanon: $123 million (3.14%)
8. Jordan: $102 million (2.6%)
9. Spain: $78 million (2.01%)
10. Russia: $71.9 million (1.84%)

The top 10 importing countries of phosphate fertilizers

Brazil is the largest importer of phosphate fertilizers in the world, as it imported $1.39 billion worth of fertilizers to cover its agricultural needs. The following is a list of the top 10 countries importing phosphate fertilizers in 2022, according to what the previous source stated:

1. Brazil: $1.39 billion (35.6%)
2. Bangladesh: $772 million (19.7%)
3. United States: $325 million (8.29%)
4. Indonesia: $156 million (3.99%)
5. Australia: $112 million (2.87%)
6. France: $98.2 million (2.51%)
7. Burundi: $79.4 million (2.03%)
8. Netherlands: $44.6 million (1.14%)
9. Romania: $41.7 million (1.07%)
10. United Kingdom: $30.3 million (0.78%)

Other uses

In addition to being a vital component in the fertilizer industry, phosphate is used in a large number of industries, and these are the 9 most important uses of this substance, according to what the KAMKA platform reported:

1. Animal feed supplementsPhosphate plays a pivotal role in the manufacture of animal feed supplements. Phosphate provides vital phosphorus and calcium necessary for bone growth and reproduction in livestock.
2. Industrial chemicals and detergentsPhosphate is used as a basic raw material for the production of phosphoric acid, which in turn is used in the manufacture of various industrial chemicals.
3. Mining: It helps in removing impurities, enhancing the fluidity of molten metals, and facilitating the extraction and purification of metals such as iron, steel, aluminum and copper.
4. Pharmaceutical and medical usesCalcium phosphate, derived from phosphate, is used in the manufacture of dental care products and bone implants.
5. Water treatment and stabilization: Phosphate-based compounds are used in water treatment processes to prevent scale formation, control corrosion, and prevent microbial growth. These compounds play an important role in ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water and industrial water systems, promoting public health, and maintaining the integrity of infrastructure.
6. Soil stabilization and erosion controlPhosphate is used to stabilize soil and prevent soil erosion by strengthening the soil structure. Phosphate additives contribute to sustainable land management practices, especially areas exposed to soil erosion and erosion.
7. Renewable energy storagePhosphate has shown excellent potential in energy storage technologies, specifically rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are very important in the manufacture of electric cars and others.
8. Research and technological progressPhosphate continues to be a subject of research and technological progress. Scientists are exploring innovative ways to improve the efficiency of phosphate extraction, develop sustainable mining practices, and promote the recycling and reuse of phosphorus from organic waste and wastewater.

These efforts aim to improve the uses of phosphate, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure the long-term availability of this vital resource.

Finally, the diverse uses of phosphate underscore its enormous importance in various sectors, from fertilizers and feed supplements to industrial chemicals, water treatment and renewable energy storage. Phosphate plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development, and adopting responsible mining practices, technological progress and economic principles helps. The ring aims to maximize the benefits of phosphate while preserving its availability for future generations.