Rabat | Reuters — State-owned Moroccan phosphates and fertilizer producer OCP expects its output of soil nutrients to fall by about 30 per cent in the second quarter due to maintenance works, two company sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The expected reduction comes amid disruptions to global soil-nutrient supply chains triggered by the Middle East conflict and China’s fertilizer export restrictions.
OCP, the world’s top producer of phosphates-based fertilizers, was proceeding “bringing forward planned Q3 and Q4 maintenance activities into the second quarter,” one of the sources told Reuters, requesting anonymity.
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The maintenance works have been advanced “as part of normal operational planning and asset optimization, in a context of increased market uncertainty,” the source said.
The output reduction is temporary and OCP does not expect a significant impact on its annual production profile, a second company source said, adding that the expected drop was discussed during a recent investor call.
OCP is particularly exposed to fluctuations in the prices of ammonia and sulphuric acid, two key fertilizer inputs whose supply has been severely affected by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
OCP’s sulphuric acid imports nearly doubled to $1.6 billion (C$2.2 billion) in 2025, driven by higher consumption and prices, while ammonia imports fell nine per cent to $840 million (C$1.17 billion) as production of nitrogen‑based fertilizers declined, according to OCP’s annual report.
