Japan Diversifies Fertilizer Supply, Imports Moroccan Phosphate Amid Global Shortages

Protectionist measures, particularly export bans by China and sanctions against Russia, have led Japan to protect its fertilizer needs. Thus, for their phosphate supply, several Japanese companies have turned to the Moroccan market, reports the Japan Times.

Japan still depends on imports for its agricultural needs, the same source points out, noting that 90% of the potassium used comes from China, and 25% is purchased from Russia and Belarus.

Japanese farmers are suffering from the rise in prices of cereals, fertilizers and other essential products for agriculture and livestock. The import of Moroccan phosphate is part of Japan’s effort to secure fertilizers, the newspaper explains.

The phosphate mineral contains phosphorus, which is essential in animal feed and in crop fertilization. Phosphate also contains nitrogen and potassium, important in fertilizer production.