Morocco is set to expand its influence in the global fertiliser industry as the United States reviews a proposal to remove import duties on phosphate-based products, a change that could significantly boost export opportunities for the North African nation.
A possible shift in US policy may also reshape Africa’s wider fertiliser landscape, as US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas leads efforts to scrap countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco. The move is intended to lower costs for American farmers while increasing demand for Moroccan supply.
The initiative is backed by Senators Chuck Grassley, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Joni Ernst.
If approved, the legislation would remove tariffs on phosphate fertilisers and related products from Morocco, overturn the April 7, 2021 countervailing duty order, and reopen access to cheaper phosphate imports for US agricultural producers.
“Kansas farmers are getting hit by a fertilizer market that’s working against them,” Senator Marshall said, adding that phosphate is essential for crop growth and current pricing is putting pressure on farmers’ profitability.
He further explained that the proposed changes would eliminate duties that are increasing production costs and return savings to farmers who supply the country’s food system.
Data from global commodities firm Argus Media shows that the tariffs significantly reduced US imports, with volumes falling from a peak of 1.85 million tonnes in 2018 to an annual average of just 182,300 tonnes between 2021 and 2025.
If the bill becomes law, phosphate fertiliser prices could drop by more than 20%, or about $150 per short ton, according to Marshall, potentially reviving import demand amid ongoing supply constraints and high costs.
For Morocco, which controls roughly 70% of global phosphate reserves, the development represents a strategic opening to deepen its foothold in one of the world’s largest agricultural markets. The industry is led by OCP Group, a dominant global producer of phosphate-based fertilisers.
Africa’s fertiliser industry expands
Across the continent, fertiliser production is undergoing a gradual shift as countries seek to reduce reliance on imports and improve food security.
In Nigeria, industrialist Aliko Dangote has built a major fertiliser operation through the Dangote Group, including one of the world’s largest urea production facilities.
The plant supplies domestic demand while also exporting to markets such as the United States, Brazil, and India.
Elsewhere, countries like Egypt and Algeria are increasing nitrogen fertiliser output, using natural gas resources to strengthen their global competitiveness.
However, the continent’s fertiliser sector remains uneven. While Morocco leads in phosphate production and Nigeria is advancing in nitrogen fertilisers, many African nations still struggle with high import costs, weak distribution systems, and limited access for smallholder farmers.
Against this backdrop, easing US trade restrictions could further consolidate Morocco’s position globally while indirectly reinforcing Africa’s role in fertiliser supply chains.
The shift also reflects a broader transition, as the continent moves from heavy reliance on imports toward becoming a more active participant in global fertiliser production.