Phosphate rock is the sole source of phosphorus for all phosphate fertilizer and animal feed production, making it an invaluable resource in feeding the world’s ever-rising population. The world over, producers are working to make the most of this finite resource.
As a key supplier of phosphate processing equipment and support services, FEECO continues to remain a crucial resource to phosphate mines and processing plants around the world as they look to ramp up production of this mineral-based, life-giving nutrient.
What follows is an overview on phosphate rock production for 2020.
Top Phosphate Rock-Producing Countries
2020 was a tough year for many industries, but phosphate rock largely escaped the wrath of the pandemic, thanks to its crucial role in agriculture. According to the US Geological Survey’s most recent data, the top ten phosphate rock-producing countries for 2020 were as follows, with estimated production for the year listed for each.
1.China, 90 million metric tons
2.Morocco & Western Sahara, 37 million metric tons
3.United States, 24 million metric tons
4.Russia, 13 million metric tons
5.Jordan, 9.2 million metric tons
6.Saudi Arabia, 6.5 million metric tons
7.Brazil, 5.5 million metric tons
8.Egypt, 5 million metric tons
9.Vietnam, 4.7 million metric tons
10.Peru and Tunisia are tied for 10th place, each with an estimated 4 million metric tons of production for the year.
Numerous other countries also made a contribution of more than 1 million tons each to global production, including, in descending order of estimated production, Senegal, Israel, Australia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, India, Algeria, and Finland.
Phosphate Industry Trends
Prevailing industry trends already in place continued in 2020 with an enhanced sense of urgency:
Water Quality, Peak Phosphorus, and Phosphorus Recycling
Concern over dead zones in waterways caused by nutrient runoff has continued to push nutrient use efficiency initiatives and intensify research around recycling phosphorus. This push has been exacerbated by the fact that many industry experts anticipate a shortage of phosphate rock on the horizon – a major threat to global food security in the face of an expanding population.
Researchers continue to explore potential alternative sources and recycling routes to secure a reliable supply of this essential nutrient in the future.
Phosphogypsum
Phosphogypsum also continues to receive attention; the industrial by-product of phosphoric acid production is currently stored in stacks, but has drawn interest as a potential resource, with opportunities for use as a soil amendment and in building and construction materials (the EPA recently approved the use of phosphogypsum in government road construction projects).
Supply Chain Reliability
The Covid-19 pandemic, along with rising climate events, put supply chains and their weaknesses under a microscope in 2020. This underscored the need for nations to invest in more reliable and diversified, or even domestic supply chains for materials – phosphorus included.
Phosphate Mining & Processing Equipment in High Demand
Not surprisingly, phosphate processing equipment is in high demand, both for fertilizer production and animal feed production, with demand centered around key equipment such as:
- Rotary dryers
- Rotary kilns (for upgrading phosphate ore)
- Granulation drums
- Coating drums
- Bulk solids handling systems
Conclusion
Phosphate rock is a vital material in meeting global food security through applications in fertilizers and animal feed products. China continues to be the top producer of phosphate rock by far, but numerous other nations are important contributors to global supply, particularly as supply chain reliability and diversity efforts strengthen. Nutrient use efficiency and phosphorus recycling will also become more important as experts sound the alarm on dwindling phosphate rock resources.
Since 1951, FEECO has been supplying the fertilizer industry with the best in custom phosphate processing equipment, ranging from individual pieces of equipment to complete granulation lines for both fertilizer and animal feed. We also offer comprehensive phosphate testing and development capabilities in our Innovation Center, as well as an extensive parts and service program. To learn how we can assist your phosphate processing operation, contact us today!