Fertilizer Update: Phosphate

Posted by Charlie Craine|7 April 2010

In its February 2010 newletter, Fertilizers & Agriculture, the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) refuted rumors of a global phophorus shortage. For two years, says IFA, the media has reported dwindling world phosphate reserves; the truth, however, is just the opposite.

Since 2000, phosphate production has steadily increased from less than 150 million tonnes (mt) to almost 180 mt. There was a slight drop in 2008/09, which IFA considers temporary.

Together with the International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC), IFA will participate in an initiative to reassess phosphate reserves. The Phosphate Resources and Research Initiative will span several years and involve two phases: In the first phase, IFDC will review existing information and assess current methodologies for estimating phosphate reserves. The second phase will assess technical and economic aspects of world phosphate supplies.

IFA, which has contributed to several scientific papers explaining product flows and production trends, will prepare a “very long-term projection of phosphate fertilizer consumption.”