India Seeks Long-Term Fertilizer Deals with Morocco Amid Global Supply Concerns

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, will travel to Morocco in January to conclude long-term contracts with Moroccan authorities. "Morocco has huge reserves of phosphorus, which is an important element for fertilizer production. Therefore, I plan to visit Morocco on January 13 and 14 to sign a memorandum of understanding with them," he said. The agreements notably provide for the installation by Indian companies of factories in Morocco for the production of DAP and NPK intended for import, reports Mint. The Indian minister will also travel to Egypt for the same exercise.

Heavily dependent on foreign countries to meet its fertilizer needs, importing nearly a quarter of its total needs and 100% for potash and phosphate, India is seeking to secure long-term supply of natural phosphate, an essential raw material for the manufacture of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK).