Egypt Says Phosphate Exports will Stop by 2017

Egypt will stop exporting phosphate by 2017, and the government plans to boost the local production of phosphate, said a first-hand source at the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA).

The source told the Anadolu Agency that the exporters were informed of this decision; thus they should not conclude any new contracts about the supply of phosphate to the global markets.

Egypt produces approx. 6 million tons of phosphate annually, of which 4 million tons are exported.

The source added that the government plans to reduce its phosphate exports as of the next year, and the phosphate producers will be encouraged to boost their output and build new plants.