Michel Prud’homme
Global phosphate demand remained firm in 2011, consolidating the recovery seen in 2010, according to France-based International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA).
On a global basis, IFA estimates that phosphate fertiliser consumption rose by 2.5% to 41m tonnes P2O5 in 2011 and is projected to expand by another 3.2% to 42m tonnes P2O5 in 2012, supported by strong market fundamentals in agriculture although this growth is threatened by a deterioration of the economic situation in advanced economies.
Demand for phosphate products rose in almost all consuming countries in 2011, with robust demand reported in South Asia, Latin America and North America. However, lower consumption was projected in East Asia and West Asia.
Global nutrient demand in 2011 continued to recover from the depressed level of 2008. Fertiliser demand was firm in North and Latin America, South Asia and Central Europe, while recovering in Eastern Europe and...