Fertilizers: Morocco Strengthens Its Position in the Zambian Market
Morocco has climbed to the fourth position among fertilizer suppliers to Zambia in the second quarter of 2026, with exports valued at $13.24 million, approximately 129.94 million dirhams. According to data released on Thursday, October 22, by the Bank of Zambia, Moroccan deliveries increased by 8.4% year-on-year, enabling the Kingdom to surpass Russia in this African market.
Moroccan Fertilizers Increase by 8.4%
Zambia’s purchases of Moroccan fertilizers reached $13.24 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to $12.21 million during the same period in 2025. This increase represents a rise of $1.03 million, roughly 10.11 million dirhams.
With an estimated share of 7.1% of Zambia’s fertilizer imports during this period, Morocco has solidified its presence among the country’s main suppliers. It surpassed Russia, which recorded deliveries of $12.71 million, and drew closer to China, which ranked third with $15.28 million.
South Africa dominated the market with $69.14 million in fertilizer deliveries, followed by Nigeria, which achieved $43.25 million. China rounds out the top three, while Morocco holds the fourth position.
South Africa Captures Over 37% of the Market
Zambia’s total fertilizer imports amounted to $186.3 million in the second quarter of 2026, equivalent to nearly 1.83 billion dirhams. South Africa accounted for 37.1% of these purchases, followed by Nigeria with 23.2%, China with 8.2%, Morocco with 7.1%, and Russia with 6.8%.
Together, these five suppliers accounted for $153.62 million, or 82.5% of Zambia’s fertilizer imports. Other supplier countries shared the remaining $32.68 million.
These figures come from the quarterly report of the Bank of Zambia focused on trade exchanges. The statistics are compiled according to the harmonized system nomenclature, with imports valued on a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) basis.
Zambian Demand Driven by Agriculture
Morocco’s position in Zambia is situated within a context of structural demand for fertilizers, where agriculture heavily relies on maize crops. Traditionally, imports peak in the fourth quarter as the planting season approaches.
According to customs statistics compiled in 2023 by Zambia’s technical working group on fertilizers, national demand typically ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 tons in a normal year.
Data from Trade Map, the statistical database from the International Trade Centre, also indicates an increase in nitrogen fertilizer imports. These imports reached 681,000 tons in 2025, compared to 433,000 tons in 2021, with a total cost of $436 million, approximately 4.28 billion dirhams.
Urea constituted the primary imported product, with 367,000 tons valued at $226 million. Ammonium nitrate accounted for 171,000 tons, corresponding to $125 million.
Lusaka Accelerates Local Production Development
In conjunction with its foreign purchases, Zambia is seeking to enhance its industrial capacities to meet national agricultural demand. President Hakainde Hichilema laid the foundation stone on Tuesday, October 20, for the expansion of the United Capital Fertilizer Zambia (UCF) complex, located in Chilanga, Lusaka province.
Spearheaded by this subsidiary of the Chinese group Wonderful, the project represents a proposed investment of $1.6 billion, nearly 15.7 billion dirhams.
According to the company, the expansion aims to add annual production capacities of 540,000 tons of ammonia, 520,000 tons of urea, 400,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, and 50,000 tons of food-grade carbon dioxide. However, no commissioning date has been announced.
UCF already operates a compound fertilizer production unit at the same site, as well as a urea plant that became operational in October 2025. The Zambian government estimates the expansion could generate approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
President Hichilema has framed this investment as a contribution toward the national goal of producing ten million tons of maize annually.
A Market to Watch for Moroccan Exporters
The growth in Moroccan deliveries confirms the Kingdom’s presence among key suppliers in an African agricultural market characterized by high fertilizer needs. With $13.24 million in sales in the second quarter of 2026, Morocco outpaces Russia and moves closer to China in a ranking dominated by South Africa and Nigeria.
However, the anticipated rise in Zambian industrial capacities could gradually alter the structure of supplies. For Moroccan exporters, the evolution of local production, agricultural calendar, and demand levels for nitrogen fertilizers will be critical factors in assessing the prospects of the Zambian market.
