According to data from the Moroccan Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP), phosphate exports from the Sahara region have reached their highest level since 2014 in the first quarter of 2026. The increase is attributed to rising global demand for fertilizers, particularly from agricultural markets in Latin America and Asia.
OCP, which operates phosphate mines in the disputed Western Sahara territory, reported a 15% increase in export volumes compared to the same period in 2025. The company has invested in new processing facilities to boost production capacity.
The rise in exports has sparked renewed debate over the status of Western Sahara, a territory contested between Morocco and the Polisario Front. Human rights groups have called for greater transparency in the use of revenues from phosphate sales.
Global phosphate prices have remained stable in 2026, but demand is expected to grow as countries seek to secure food supplies amid climate change concerns. OCP plans to expand its operations in the region further.
