Morocco tops EU fertiliser suppliers in 2025, pushing Russia aside

Morocco has become the European Union’s biggest fertiliser supplier in 2025, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

Morocco captured 19 percent of total EU fertiliser imports this year, placing it firmly at the top of the list. S

Russia dropped to second place with a 12.8 percent share, while Egypt followed closely with 12 percent.

This marks a sharp turnaround in Europe’s sourcing strategy. Russian fertiliser exports to the EU fell steadily throughout 2025, ending three years of growth despite ongoing political tensions.

At the start of the year, Russia held 25.8 percent of the EU market, but that figure was cut in half by year’s end.

Four years ago, Russia’s share was even higher, at over 28 percent.

The numbers reflect a broader decision by Brussels to gradually reduce economic dependence on Moscow. The pace of disengagement accelerated in 2025, breaking with the cautious approach seen after the outbreak of the Ukraine war in early 2022.

Trade data shows the scale of the shift. During the third quarter of 2025, EU exports to Russia stood at €7.25 billion, while imports from Russia dropped to €5.73 billion. This resulted in a rare quarterly trade surplus of nearly €1.5 billion in the EU’s favour, a first since records began in 2002.

Overall trade between the two sides fell by almost 13 percent in the first nine months of the year, settling at €43.9 billion.

Against this backdrop, Morocco emerged as a reliable alternative for Europe’s farming sector.

High energy and gas prices in recent years hit fertiliser production inside Europe hard, initially pushing some countries to rely on cheaper, ready-made Russian supplies. That option is now being phased out for geopolitical reasons.

Eurostat data shows a clear replacement strategy at work, with Russian products being swapped for supplies from more trusted partners.

Morocco stands out thanks to its geographic proximity, strong production capacity, and stable trade flows.

The country’s fertiliser industry, led by the OCP Group, benefits from modern ports, large-scale infrastructure, and consistent delivery.

European officials also value Morocco’s reputation for honoring contracts and keeping fertiliser exports separate from political pressure. As global markets remain volatile, this reliability has become a key asset.