Five Arab Countries Account for Quarter of Global Phosphate Production

Five Arab countries produced nearly one quarter of global phosphate output in 2024, underscoring the region’s growing strategic importance in the global fertilizer and food security supply chain.

According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, global phosphate production reached approximately 240 million metric tons last year, with Arab producers contributing a combined 60 million metric tons.

Morocco led Arab production by a wide margin, producing 30 million tons, cementing its position as one of the world’s most influential phosphate suppliers. Jordan followed with around 12 million tons, while Saudi Arabia ranked third regionally with 9.5 million tons.

Egypt produced approximately 5 million tons, and Tunisia contributed 3.3 million tons, completing the list of the five Arab countries dominating regional output.

On the global stage, China remained the world’s largest phosphate producer, with output estimated at 110 million metric tons, accounting for nearly half of global production.

Phosphate is a critical raw material for fertilizers and plays a central role in global agricultural productivity. The strong production levels recorded by Arab countries highlight their strategic leverage in global fertilizer markets, particularly as demand rises amid food security concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.