Morocco remains the EU’s leading supplier of phosphate rock

Wednesday 30 September 2026 - 09:47

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco remains the EU’s leading supplier of phosphate rock

Morocco continues to play a central role in supplying phosphate rock to the European Union, highlighting the North African country’s importance to Europe’s access to a raw material essential for fertiliser production and agriculture.

According to the 2026 report of Italy’s Circular Economy Network, Morocco accounts for around 27% of EU phosphate rock imports, placing it ahead of Russia at 24%, Algeria at 10% and Israel at 7%. The figures underline the significant role played by external suppliers in meeting Europe’s demand for phosphorus-related raw materials.

Phosphate rock is considered strategically important because phosphorus is a key component of agricultural fertilisers and animal feed. The European Commission classifies phosphate rock as a critical raw material, reflecting concerns about the security and concentration of supply.

The report estimates that the EU depends on imports for about 82% of its phosphate rock requirements. It also identifies complete import dependence for elemental phosphorus, underscoring Europe’s limited domestic resources and the importance of maintaining diversified supply chains.

Morocco’s position as a major supplier is supported by its substantial domestic phosphate resources and mining industry. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre estimates that Morocco holds about 68% of the world’s identified phosphate rock reserves and accounts for roughly 14% of global production, behind China, which represents around 44% of global output.

Europe’s dependence on imported phosphate has broader implications for food security because fertilisers are essential to maintaining agricultural production. Disruptions affecting international trade routes, energy markets or major producing countries can therefore create additional risks for European farmers and the wider food supply chain.

At the same time, the European market remains diversified. Russia continues to supply significant volumes of phosphate-related products, while Algeria and Israel also contribute to European supplies. More recent European Commission trade data analysed by Ragn-Sells showed that Russia accounted for 34% of EU phosphate-rock import spending in the first half of 2026, while Morocco represented 32% by value. This illustrates how supplier shares can differ depending on whether they are measured by physical volume or import value.

The issue has encouraged the EU to examine ways of reducing its reliance on imported phosphorus. European researchers have highlighted the potential to recover the nutrient from wastewater, sewage sludge and other organic waste streams rather than relying exclusively on newly extracted phosphate rock.

The Circular Economy Network report points to significant opportunities for phosphorus recovery from waste, including sewage sludge, livestock manure, slaughterhouse residues and other organic materials. Recovering these resources could help Europe reduce material losses while strengthening the circular use of an important agricultural input.

The challenge is not limited to the availability of phosphate rock but also concerns the resilience of supply chains. Phosphate prices can remain relatively stable for extended periods while still being vulnerable to temporary disruptions caused by geopolitical developments, transport problems or changes in global demand.

For Morocco, continued access to the European market reinforces the importance of phosphate within its wider trade relationship with the EU. For Europe, meanwhile, the figures highlight the need to combine international sourcing with greater recycling, diversification and more efficient use of phosphorus resources.

The growing attention to phosphate supplies reflects a broader shift in European economic policy, where access to critical raw materials is increasingly linked to industrial competitiveness, agricultural security and the resilience of international supply chains.