Sulfur for phosphate fertilizer production in Morocco becomes 3.6 times more expensive

Morocco has significantly increased sulfur imports from North America amid a sharp rise in prices, adding to phosphate fertilizer production costs. In January–September 2026, the average declared value of US sulfur purchased by Moroccan companies increased 3.6-fold, from $235.86 to $857.52 per ton. Sulfur is used to produce sulfuric acid, which is essential for processing phosphate rock and manufacturing mineral fertilizers.

According to US and Canadian customs statistics, the United States exported 332.4 thsd tons of sulfur to Morocco during the nine-month period, up 267.8% year-on-year. The value of shipments surged from $21.31 mln to $285 mln, an increase of more than 13 times. Canada also expanded its presence in the Moroccan market, supplying 184.7 thsd tons of sulfur worth C$206.24 mln, compared with no comparable shipments a year earlier. Combined sulfur imports from the two countries reached 517.1 thsd tons, valued at approximately MAD 4.2 bln.

Meanwhile, Morocco increased phosphate fertilizer exports to the United States. In January–September, US purchases rose by 33.6% to 233.3 thsd tons, while their value increased by 31.2% to $161 mln. The strongest growth was recorded in concentrated superphosphate, with shipments rising from 2 thsd to 86.9 thsd tons. In addition, diammonium phosphate (DAP) exports reached 16.4 thsd tons, compared with no shipments during the same period in 2025. However, monoammonium phosphate (MAP) sales declined by 20.5% to 129.5 thsd tons.

The Canadian market showed the opposite trend. Imports of Moroccan fertilizers into Canada fell by 27.8% to 348.1 thsd tons, worth a total of C$413.35 mln. The decline was mainly driven by monoammonium phosphate, shipments of which decreased by 33.5%. Thus, despite expanding sales to the United States, Moroccan phosphate fertilizer exports to North America continue to show mixed trends.

US trade restrictions on Moroccan phosphate fertilizers remain an additional source of uncertainty. On November 3, the US Department of Commerce published the results of a five-year review of countervailing measures, identifying a likely subsidy rate of 20.04%, which does not necessarily correspond to the import duty currently applied. Meanwhile, Morocco is increasing its purchases of US energy products: imports of low-sulfur light fuel rose by 28.1% to 3.16 mln barrels, while liquefied butane shipments increased by 44.9%. Rising sulfur and energy costs are placing additional pressure on phosphate fertilizer production costs in the country.

Tags: fertilizers, Morocco, sulfur, phosphate fertilizers