The phosphate industry has had a healthy year, with world demand remaining firm in 2011 and consolidating the recovery seen in 2010.
The European Parliament approved in December measures to restrict the use of phosphates in consumer laundry detergents, but this is a minor end market compared to fertilisers.
During the last quarter of 2011, main phosphate and fertiliser producers such as Russia’s PhosAgro, Canada’s Agrium and US-based The Mosaic Co. and CF Industries Holdings Inc. reported strong results.
On a global basis, France-based International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) estimates that phosphate fertiliser consumption rose by 2.5% in 2011 and is projected to expand by another 3.2% in 2012, supported by strong market fundamentals in agriculture although this growth is threatened by a deterioration of the economic situation in advanced...