Morocco's OCP shifts to low-sulphur fertiliser, resumes full output

Morocco’s OCP, the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer producer, is returning to full production  by the end of June, but doing so while making far more of a low-sulphur fertiliser after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove up sulphur costs, Reuters reported.

The company cut production by around 30% in the second quarter after bringing forward maintenance work as sulphur prices increased following disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and tighter global supplies.

The restart of production further increases OCP’s share of TSP, which now represents 65% of OCP Nutricrops’ fertilizer volumes. The fertilizer requires much less sulphur and no ammonia.

The shift also helps OCP reduce exposure to sulphur price swings while responding to demand for phosphorus-based fertilizers.

TSP and DAP are both phosphate fertilizers, but they are produced differently. DAP provides both phosphorus and nitrogen and requires ammonia, while TSP provides phosphorus without adding nitrogen and uses significantly less sulphur.

Demand for TSP has been supported by major agricultural markets, including Brazil and Africa, where farmers rely on phosphate fertilizers to improve soil nutrients.

TSP is particularly used for crops such as soybeans and legumes that need phosphorus to support early growth and root development.

The product has also gained attention in Europe, where efforts to reduce nitrogen use in agriculture have increased interest in fertilizers that provide phosphorus without adding more nitrogen to soils.

The shift comes as OCP continues expanding its fertilizer business. The company increased production capacity from around 3 million metric tons in 2008 to 16 million metric tons in 2025, strengthening its position as the world’s leading phosphate-based fertilizer producer.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has since started recovering after Iran and the United States agreed to reopen the passage, with AFP reporting that 25 commercial vessels crossed the Strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April.

However, transit remains far below pre-war averages, keeping pressure on global shipping and commodity flows.