Fertilizers
Overview
The fertilizer industry has seen dramatic changes in market dynamics, with challenges posed by policy and regulatory changes, political instability, conflicts and new macroeconomic realities. The drive towards energy transition and ambitious zero-carbon goals has also opened up the industry to new entrants and new opportunities.
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Latest fertilizer news
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Morocco’s OCP to cut production in 2Q
Morocco’s OCP to cut production in 2Q
London, 2 April (Argus) — Morocco's OCP is bringing forward scheduled maintenance at several plants, the firm said. Maintenance at some OCP plants will begin next week, although it has not said which plants will begin maintenance first. The works will affect up to 30pc of OCP's second-quarter production capacity, the company said. Morocco exported 4.40mn t of DAP, 2.71mn t of MAP and 2.98mn t of TSP last year, according to Argus data. OCP has not given a reason for its decision, but tight supply of sulphur and ammonia — key raw materials for phosphates production — following the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz are likely to be the main drivers. The Middle East supplied 52pc of Morocco's sulphur imports last year. Bad weather disrupted operations at Moroccan ports earlier this year, curbing OCP's production and exports. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australia turns to less-established urea origins
Australia turns to less-established urea origins
London, 2 April (Argus) — Australia's urea importers are being forced to look to less-established sources as the strait of Hormuz closure cuts off access to their dominant supply region — with no clarity on when normal flows will resume. In recent weeks, importers have begun looking to Egypt and Nigeria. But neither of these origins has been regularly and consistently cleared under Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) biosecurity standards, Argus understands. There are four AQIS levels. The lowest, for unapproved origins, is level 3, which triggers a full inspection — a challenging prospect for importers already facing tight supply. Nigeria's Indorama is understood to be cleared at level 2, but no Nigerian urea has been imported by Australia, or confirmed so far, according to trade data. The Middle East typically supplies almost two-thirds of Australia's annual urea imports, while most of the remainder comes from southeast Asia. Mideast Gulf urea commitments to India — with at least 300,000t booked in a tender waiting to pass Hormuz, and an increasing likelihood of another tender — are also likely to wipe out any near-term availability should the strait reopen. There is enough urea in Australia to cover winter crop pre-seeding application, but more imports are needed for topdressing from June, according to market participants. Around 510,000t of urea has been delivered to Australia this year. And about 215,000t is currently in transit to Australia across eight vessels, tracking data from Kpler show. Calls to ease import barriers AQIS rules are expected to be a focus for importers seeking government support, particularly more flexibility around level 3, which adds costs and delays receipts. Fertilizer Australia is also urging the government to ease restrictions on Russian imports. Russian fertilizers lack accreditation from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and cannot currently be imported. The government plans to amend policies to provide guarantees, extend loans and undertake other arrangements to secure imports. While these initiatives are primarily aimed at fuel, fertilizer buyers should be able to benefit too. AQIS barrier AQIS is a major obstacle to sourcing urea from less-established origins, especially as inspections are required for both supply chain and vessel. AQIS assigns a level only to the entire supply chain from plant to vessel, not to individual components such as warehouses, trucks or belts. The vessel is assessed separately. If any element of either the supply chain or vessel is graded level 3, the entire shipment defaults to level 3, and this rule also applies to combined cargoes of multiple products or origins. The AQIS system has four levels. Gold carries no checks and is awarded only to supply chains that have consistently performed at level 1. Level 1 involves random checks primarily at berth. Level 2 requires more extensive inspection at unloading and in warehouses. And level 3 requires full inspection and isolation of the product. Vessel classifications are handled separately through the AFF1 and AFF2 system, with AFF1 the higher standard. Direct plant-to-vessel loading is the easiest configuration to certify, while mixed-use port facilities, uncovered conveyor belts and non-dedicated trucking routes pose the greatest risk of triggering a level 3 designation. For importers exploring new origins, the risk is significant because level 1 cannot be guaranteed after inspection. But securing alternative tonnes could be essential for normal wheat and barley topdressing in June–July. By Dana Hjeij Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Trump pledges to 'finish the job' quickly in Iran
Trump pledges to 'finish the job' quickly in Iran
Washington, 1 April (Argus) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the US is on track to finish all of its military objectives in the war against Iran "very shortly", but he again called on other countries dependent on Mideast Gulf oil to figure out how to reopen the strait of Hormuz. In his first prime time address to the US public since launching the war with Iran on 28 February, Trump made no new announcements about his plans for the course of the conflict. US armed forces have achieved "overwhelming victories on the battlefield", Trump said. Even so, Trump said he expects the war will continue for weeks, during continued negotiations with Iran and despite his claim earlier in the day that Tehran had asked for a ceasefire. "We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks," Trump vowed. "We're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong." Trump used the speech to repeat messages he had posted over the last few days on his social media platform. Countries that depend on oil shipped through the strait of Hormuz should "build up some delayed courage", Trump said, and take control of the waterway where 20pc of global oil flows. "They must grab it and cherish it," Trump said. "They can do it easily. We will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on." Trump openly mocked those countries that refused to join the US war effort and now can not get enough oil with the strait largely closed to traffic. "I have a suggestion: Buy oil from the United States of America," Trump said. "We have plenty. We have so much." And Trump mused that when the conflict ends, "the strait will open up naturally", since Iran will want to sell oil to rebuild. Trump acknowledged that many in the US are "concerned" to see gasoline prices rising, which he blamed "entirely" on the attacks Iran launched on tankers and neighboring countries. Trump said the war in Iran was not so long, when compared with other wars. Trump's national address comes at a time when Republicans are facing declining popularity over the war and its economic ramifications. The conflict has undercut a central message that Trump's policies have lowered prices at the pump and eased inflation. US motorists are now paying $1.05/USG more for gasoline and $1.59/USG more for diesel than they were before the war began. EU countries have begun to slash growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027 in response to surging commodity prices caused by the closure of the strait of Hormuz. Ryanair chief executive on Wednesday warned the budget airline and other European carriers may need to start cutting flights if the strait remains closed. US allies are confronting a position of dealing with the political fallout of rising prices for a war they did not initiate. "This is not our war," UK prime minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday. "We will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest." The most effective way to ease surging prices, Starmer said, is to push for "de-escalation in the Middle East". The long-term national interest of the UK will require "closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union", he said. Trump and his cabinet have signaled plans to pull back from Nato, out of their view that members of the defense alliance have failed to offer enough support in the war against Iran. The administration plans to review if remaining in Nato is still serving US interests, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said. "There is no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to re-examine that relationship," Rubio said in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday. Trump can not pull the US out of Nato without an affirmative vote by two thirds of the US Senate, under a 2023 law that was enacted in response to Trump's threats during his first term to exit the defense alliance. US senators Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Chris Coons (D-Delaware) on Wednesday said the Senate would continue to support Nato. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Zambia announces sulphuric acid export controls
Zambia announces sulphuric acid export controls
London, 1 April (Argus) — Zambia has introduced sulphuric acid export controls to protect domestic industries. The commerce, trade and industry ministry introduced a permit system on 27 March to manage sulphuric acid exports after prices in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo surged. The ministry says the permits will address "a critical market imbalance" in sulphuric acid availability and protect Zambian downstream industries that use the acid as an input. Sulphur and sulphuric acid prices in the region have risen sharply since the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, with DRC buyers paying the highest prices. Prices for acid were indicated at around $330/t ex-works in Zambia this week, but at least $550/t ex-works in the DRC. Mining companies are scrambling to secure sulphuric acid to remain operational, pushing up prices. Zambia enforced a ban on sulphuric acid exports at the start of September 2025 for several weeks, with certain companies transporting sulphuric acid from South Africa through Zambia to supply the DRC, incurring significant transport costs. Given the near-doubling of diesel prices and signs of shortages this trade is now likely to be even more challenging. The permit system may also be an attempt to keep trucks in Zambia, where they will use fuel for domestic deliveries, market participants said. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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