Morocco Increased Ammonia Imports From China in May 2026
Morocco imported 51,050 tons of ammonia from China in May 2026, marking a 163% volume surge.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Organic Food
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In May 2026, Morocco imported 51,050 tons of Chinese ammonia, accounting for over 27% of China's total ammonia exports for that month. This massive intake represented a 163% increase in volume for Morocco compared to prior periods.
Why it matters
Morocco is integrating large-scale processing of imported ammonia into phosphate fertilizers at facilities like Jorf Lasfar and Safi to transition from a consumer to a global supplier. This strategy addresses structural fertilizer deficits in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 80% of fertilizer is imported.
Morocco imported 51,050 tons of ammonia from China in May 2026, which accounted for over 27% of China's total export volume. This occurred as the regional fertilizer market is projected to reach $23.43 billion by 2031.
The players
OCP Group
This is a major Moroccan state-owned phosphate producer that converts raw chemical imports into finished fertilizers.
The details
OCP Group plants convert the ammonia into diammonium and monoammonium phosphate, which are then distributed to global markets. China has simultaneously leveraged its coal-based urea production and structural fertilizer demand in Sub-Saharan Africa to expand its trade reach.
Timeline
Mid-March 2026: Middle Eastern urea prices reached $700 per ton.
First five months of 2026: Chinese fertilizer exports rose 11.9 percent.
May 2026: Morocco imported 51,050 tons of ammonia from China.
July 16, 2026: China imposed strict export controls on all shipments.
2031: The regional fertilizer market is projected to reach $23.43 billion.
Culture Shift
This activity reflects a broader effort to address the 80% fertilizer import dependency of Sub-Saharan Africa. The integration of processing facilities represents a fundamental move away from raw material reliance toward regional self-sufficiency.
The expansion of regional fertilizer production capacity aims to stabilize supply chains, potentially affecting the long-term cost and availability of fertilizers for farmers. These logistical shifts may change how local agricultural cooperatives source inputs for their annual cycles.
The takeaway
Global fertilizer markets are undergoing a consolidation shift as countries move to own the entire processing chain. This trend highlights the increasing strategic importance of chemical supply security in the global food production ecosystem.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable cultivation practices in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PravdaReport.
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