But with just five countries sharing nearly all of the world’s phosphate reserves — and farmers dependent on the resource to keep feeding the world’s growing population — there aren’t many other sellers who can match Morocco’s output. The United States remains the biggest importer of Moroccan phosphate.
Subsequently, what is phosphate used for in Morocco? Morocco holds 75% of the world’s reserves of phosphate, which is used in fertilizer. The country’s exports are helping to reduce hunger in sub-Saharan Africa, but high energy prices and climate change put that at risk.
Considering this, which country is rich in phosphate? Most of the world’s phosphate reserves are in Morocco, with the country accounting for approximately 70% of the total reserves or 50 billion tons. It is also the second-largest producer with most of the production coming from Bou Craa mine in Western Sahara. Morocco remains the largest exporter of phosphate.
People ask also, why is there so much phosphorus in Morocco? Phosphate is locally abundant in the form of sand-sized detrital grains. These were derived from Cretaceous and Tertiary phosphatic rocks cropping out on the shelf, by erosion during the Pleistocene. The sand-sized phosphatic detritus is concentrated in relict placer-type deposits near parent-rock outcrops.
Also the question is, where does NZ phosphate come from? Seventy per cent of all New Zealand’s phosphate comes from Western Sahara, occupied by Morocco since 1975.
What is the price of phosphate?
The price of phosphate rock, which is used in the production of phosphate fertilizers, stood at 76 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2020.
What countries produce phosphorus?
- China. Mine production: 90 million MT.
- Morocco and Western Sahara. Mine production: 37 million MT.
- United States. Mine production: 24 million MT.
- Russia. Mine production: 13 million MT.
- Jordan. Mine production: 9.2 million MT.
- Saudi Arabia. Mine production: 6.5 million MT.
- Brazil.
- Egypt.
Where does phosphate come from?
What is phosphate and where does it come from? Phosphorous (P) is present in every living cell, both plant and animal. Most of the world’s phosphate is mined from underground deposits formed by marine sediment.
Who produces phosphate?
While nearly 30 countries produce phosphate rock, China, the United States and Morocco are the largest producers, together accounting for two-thirds of world production. Morocco alone accounts for more than 30 percent of global exports.
How much phosphorus is left in the world?
In 2021, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that economically extractable phosphate rock reserves worldwide are 71 billion tons, while world mining production in 2020 was 223 million tons. Assuming zero growth, the reserves would thus last for 260 years.
What does Morocco contribute to the world?
Morocco is the world’s third-largest producer of phosphates (after the United States and China), and the price fluctuations of phosphates on the international market greatly influence Morocco’s economy. Tourism and workers’ remittances have played a critical role since independence.
Where is phosphate in Morocco?
Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco, just north along the coast, since 1975. If you include this disputed region, Morocco holds more than 72 percent of all phosphate-rock reserves in the world, according to the most recent United States Geological Survey study.
Who produces the most phosphate in the world?
- China, 90 million metric tons.
- Morocco & Western Sahara, 37 million metric tons.
- United States, 24 million metric tons.
- Russia, 13 million metric tons.
- Jordan, 9.2 million metric tons.
- Saudi Arabia, 6.5 million metric tons.
- Brazil, 5.5 million metric tons.
Which country exports the most phosphates?
In 2020, the top exporters of Phosphorus were Vietnam ($251M), Kazakhstan ($213M), United States ($39.8M), Poland ($25.8M), and Russia ($21.1M). In 2020, the top importers of Phosphorus were India ($115M), Germany ($95.2M), Poland ($72.9M), Japan ($62.9M), and Czechia ($38.3M).
Does Morocco produce phosphate?
Morocco holds 77% of the world’s total phosphate reserves and is the world’s largest phosphate exporter. The mining sector in Morocco, including copper and silver, represents 10% of Morocco’s GDP, with 90% coming from phosphates.