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.

Latest phosphate news
12/12/24

Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours

Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours

London, 12 December (Argus) — The Namibian government has prohibited the import, storage, packaging and transit of fertilizers for delivery to countries other than Namibia. A notice was issued by the agriculture, water and land reform ministry (MAWLR) on 22 November to all companies revoking the importation and in-transit permits for fertilizers. It states that companies have 21 days to package the product in 1t bags and export the material or "surrender the products for destruction" at the company's cost. The ban comes into effect on 13 December. The notice applies to urea, MAP, DAP, amsul, CAN, NOP, MOP, SOP, NPK and magnesium sulphate. The duration of this ban is not yet known. Vessels offloading cargo intended for delivery outside Namibia will not be allowed to dock. The notice cites that the handling and storage of bulk and bagged fertilizers at Walvis Bay does not meet regulatory requirements. It also states that environmental and safety risks for contamination, leakage and exposure to external elements could have a long-term effect. The Walvis Bay port is used for offloading fertilizer deliveries before they are transited to inland countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Shipments for these countries are now likely to be rerouted through Beira, Mozambique. Negotiations between the governments of Namibia and Zambia are reportedly under way. Zambia is currently experiencing a severe fertilizer shortage, and given the delays at Beira, importing via Namibia and transporting it inland is the country's next best alternative to procure the volumes in time. By Upasruti Biswas and Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more
Latest phosphate news

Bangladesh receives DAP, TSP offers in tender


27/11/24
Latest phosphate news
27/11/24

Bangladesh receives DAP, TSP offers in tender

London, 27 November (Argus) — Bangladesh's ministry of agriculture received offers for 60,000t of DAP at $685.30-691/t cfr and 115,000t of TSP at $567.80-600/t cfr in its latest private-sector tender, which closed today. The ministry received two offers for DAP: Bulk Trade International offered 30,000t at $685.30/t cfr Saifullah Gulf offered 30,000t at $691/t cfr The ministry also received six offers for TSP: Bulk Trade International offered 25,000t at $567.80/t cfr Mounota Trade Index offered 20,000t at $573.50/t cfr Noapara Traders offered 30,000t at $573.50/t cfr Saifullah Gulf offered 26,000t at $574/t cfr Alif Trading offered 4,000t at $574/t cfr Noapara Trading offered 10,000t at $600/t cfr Argus understands that much of the product offered in the tender will be shipped from Morocco. There were reports that one of the DAP cargoes offered will be shipped from China. The lowest offers in this latest tender are up compared with those under the ministry's 18 November private-sector tender , which received offers for 120,000t of DAP at $678.40-717/t cfr and 113,000t of TSP at $561.90-585/t cfr. The ministry likely awarded 40,000t of Moroccan DAP to Bulk Trade International at the offered level of $678.40/t cfr, with negotiations ongoing for further cargoes, under the 18 November tender. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest phosphate news

Bangladesh issues new phosphate tenders


22/11/24
Latest phosphate news
22/11/24

Bangladesh issues new phosphate tenders

London, 22 November (Argus) — Bangladesh's ministry of agriculture has issued a new private-sector tender to buy DAP and TSP, closing on 27 November. The ministry did not specify the total quantities sought but specified that each private importer can offer a maximum of 30,000t of TSP and 40,000t of DAP in the tender. The cargoes offered under the tender are to be shipped by 30 December, and nominated importers must issue letters of credit within seven working days of receiving the work order. The ministry closed a private-sector tender to buy DAP and TSP on 18 November and has probably awarded at least 40,000t of Moroccan DAP at $678.40/t cfr in the tender. It had received offers for 120,000t of DAP at prices ranging from $678.40-711.00/t cfr and 113,000t of TSP at prices ranging from $561.90-585.00/t cfr. BCIC seeks 10,000t of phosphoric acid in tender Bangladeshi state-owned importer BCIC has issued a fresh tender to buy 10,000t of phosphoric acid containing 52-54pc P2O5, closing on 8 January. It wants the cargo to be shipped within 30 days of issuing the letter of credit for delivery to Chattogram. Trading firm Sun International submitted the only offer in BCIC's 20 November tender for 20,000t of the same grade of acid. It offered South African or Chinese acid at $620.87/t cfr (equivalent to $1,150-1,194/t P2O5 cfr), or $530.87/t fob. In its 18 November tender to buy 10,000t of 52-54pc P2O5 acid, BCIC received offers of $1,163-1,213/t P2O5 cfr equivalent. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest phosphate news

IPL forecasts higher Phosphate Hill output in FY25


19/11/24
Latest phosphate news
19/11/24

IPL forecasts higher Phosphate Hill output in FY25

Sydney, 19 November (Argus) — Australian chemicals and fertilizer producer Incitec Pivot (IPL) has forecasted higher output from its Phosphate Hill mine over the next financial year in its annual report. IPL forecasts there will be 790,000-860,000t of DAP/MAP output from its Phosphate Hill site located in northeast Queensland, Australia, up from 739,500t of output in FY24 . IPL plans to conduct repairs and other work to increase site reliability over the next financial year. Owing to these planned outages, production at Phosphate Hill is expected to be lower in the first half of the financial year, with 40-45pc of total volumes expected during that time. IPL highlighted that Phosphate Hill's production is vulnerable to circumstances outside its control, such as equipment breakdowns, energy or water disruptions and severe weather events. IPL also mentioned its reliance on Glencore's nearby Mount Isa Mines copper smelter staying open. Sulphuric acid is a by-product of copper smelting. Should the smelter close, sulphuric acid supply in the region would fall and with it being a major raw material required to produce DAP/MAP, Phosphate Hill would be negatively impacted. This could also impact phosphate production at Agriflex's Ardmore phosphate project in Queensland. Glencore recently announced it expects the operation of the smelter to continue to 2030 pending capital approvals. IPL is continuing to work on alternative sources to mitigate the loss of sulphuric acid supply in case of Glencore's potential closure or reduced production. The annual report also said IPL continues to use a mix of gas supply sources, including gas supplied under a contract with Power and Water Corporation (PWC), and top-up gas from Northern Territory and east coast suppliers. The diversity of gas supply ensured Phosphate Hill production was not affected by the reduction of contracted gas supply from PWC. A further update on Phosphate Hill supply will be made mid-2025 and a "strategic review" of the site is expected to be completed no later than September 2025. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Latest phosphate news

Bangladesh’s BCIC receives offers in phosacid tender


18/11/24
Latest phosphate news
18/11/24

Bangladesh’s BCIC receives offers in phosacid tender

London, 18 November (Argus) — State-owned Bangladeshi fertilizer importer and producer BCIC received offers ranging from $1,163-1,213/t P2O5 cfr equivalent in its tender to buy 10,000t of merchant grade phosphoric acid, which closed today. Trading firm Gentrade FZE made the lowest offer, for Moroccan phosphoric acid, at $628.10/t cfr, or $532.10/t fob. Guangxi Pengyue Eco-Technology — a subsidiary of China's Guizhou Chanhen Chemical — offered at $629.91/t cfr, or $542.91/t fob. And trading firm Sun International offered South African acid at $631/t cfr, or $538/t fob. BCIC is likely to have received no offers in its 29 October tender to buy 10,000t of the same grade of phosphoric acid. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Region and country focused market intelligence

Argus publish region and country specific price reporting services that cover all major fertilizer commodities