Moroccans increase DAP exports to Europe by 57%

16 October 2007 16:19  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Moroccan producer Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP) has increased nine-month exports of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer to Europe by 57% compared with 2006 levels, official data released by the company confirmed on Tuesday.

OCP exported 302,900 tonnes to Europe in the period January-September 2007, compared with 193,000 tonnes in the same period of 2006.

The EU’s abandonment last month of the set aside land principle, the practice of fallowing agricultural land in order to reduce excessive food production, and high crop prices have encouraged further cultivation in Europe, in turn aiding fertilizer consumption.

France was the largest recipient of Moroccan DAP, accounting for 174,000 tonnes, followed by Italy, which took 73,000 tonnes.

However, OCP’s total global exports reached 759,300 tonnes of DAP in the January-September period, down 4.8% on the 798,000 tonnes exported in the same period of 2006.

The drop was mainly accounted for by lower exports to Argentina, New Zealand and Thailand.

China and Brazil were the other major receipents, taking 110,000 tonnes and 93,900 tonnes of Moroccan DAP respectively.

Russia, Tunisia, Jordan and the US are also major DAP producers. 

By: Mike Nash
+44 20 8652 3214

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