by Abdelghani Henni
Morocco is the world’s largest exporter of phosphate products.
Moroccan sales of phosphate increased to US$6 billion in 2011, compared to $4.39 billion in 2010, largely thanks to the increase of prices of raw materials in the international market, in addition to the soaring demand on fertiliser and phosphoric acid, said the Office Cherifien of Phosphate (OCP), the company that controls sales and production in Morocco.
“Sales in 2011 increased 29.3% compared to 2010, which is the best year since 2008,” OCP said. “This allowed us to boost our global leadership as the world number one phosphate exporter,” it added.
OCP controls 36% of the global raw phosphate market, and 50% of the phosphoric acid sales. It also controls 70% of the world’s phosphate reserves.
