OCP: Morocco Diversifies Its Sulfur Purchases

Morocco Diversifies Sulfur Supply Sources Amid Global Market Disruptions

In response to declining sulfur shipments from the United Arab Emirates and global market disturbances, Morocco has diversified its supply sources by turning to Russia, Georgia, the United States, and Canada. According to maritime analysis company Kpler, in a note published on Monday, October 26, 2026, these alternative purchases have helped to offset part of the deficit and maintain activity in Morocco’s phosphate industry, despite global supply challenges.

Morocco Turns to New Suppliers

Two shipments of sulfur were loaded in October at the Russian port of Ust-Luga, located in the Gulf of Finland, with their arrival at Jorf Lasfar, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, expected before the end of the month.

These shipments come amid a resurgence in Russian sulfur exports, which were interrupted in July. Data cited by Kpler indicates that volumes exported by Russia rose to 115,000 tons in September, after falling to zero just two months prior.

For Morocco, this diversification of suppliers is a strategic move. Sulfur is a critical raw material for the production of phosphate fertilizers and is a key link in the industrial chain of OCP Group, one of the world’s leading buyers of this resource.

The combustion of sulfur produces sulfuric acid, which is used in the treatment of phosphate rock, which is then transformed into phosphoric acid, essential for manufacturing various categories of fertilizers. The Jorf Lasfar complex plays a central role in this transformation chain and in the exports of the Moroccan group.

Emirati Shipments Constrict

Until recently, the United Arab Emirates was a major supply source for the Moroccan market. However, shipments to the kingdom nearly ceased between May and June 2026, according to maritime data analyzed by Kpler. Deliveries resumed in July, though they have not yet returned to their previous rhythm.

Russia, Georgia, the United States, and Canada have helped to bridge part of this shortfall. These alternative supplies have supported the operations of Moroccan industrial facilities, although the volumes available have remained below levels seen prior to global market disruptions.

Challenges are not limited to trade relations between Morocco and the Emirates. Russia has extended its restrictions on liquid, granulated, or chunk sulfur exports until December 31, 2026, with certain exemptions for members of the Eurasian Economic Union. Kazakhstan also suspended its overseas sales starting on June 27, with exceptions for shipments to Russian stations. Meanwhile, India halted its exports between May and July.

In this context, increasing the variety of supply sources allows Morocco to spread risk across multiple producers. However, it does not eliminate constraints related to trade restrictions, logistical difficulties, and the availability of exportable volumes.

Strait of Hormuz at the Heart of Global Market Tensions

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant chokepoint in the international sulfur trade. Between March and September, shipments passing through this strategic route accounted for approximately 55% of their pre-conflict pace, according to Kpler.

The three-month moving average of transported volumes fell to 541,000 tons, down from 1.35 million tons in February. This contraction has considerably reduced the availability of Gulf-sourced sulfur, a region that previously accounted for nearly half of global exchanges of this raw material before disruptions set in.

However, Kpler noted a brief spike of 517,000 tons of crossings between May and June. This rebound was attributed to the clearance of vessels that had been loaded and stranded since March. The frequency of crossings then exceeded its prior level by 30%, while Gulf terminals lacked available ships to undertake new loadings.

In May, up to 26 loaded ships awaited departure, as the region had no bulk carriers arriving empty to facilitate new operations. A new bottleneck formed between July and August after the clearance of the initial queue.

The shortage of available vessels has limited shipments, even when sulfur could be loaded. Overall, Gulf ports have lost about a third of their export volumes. This supply contraction has contributed to a roughly 75% increase in sulfur prices, according to Kpler’s analysis.

OCP Adjusts Production to Safeguard Exports

In the face of reduced supplies, the OCP Group has adjusted its industrial calendar. According to data cited by Kpler, the Moroccan producer has advanced some maintenance downtimes and reduced its production by approximately 30% in the second quarter of 2026, returning to full capacity by the end of June.

The group has also prioritized triple superphosphate (TSP), a fertilizer that is less sulfur-intensive than other phosphate products. This adjustment to its product mix has helped limit raw material consumption during the most challenging months for Gulf supplies.

Moroccan phosphate fertilizer exports declined in May but rebounded to high levels in June and September, despite still limited sulfur imports. Kpler attributes this trend to the utilization of available stock and adjustments to OCP’s production schedule, which helped safeguard deliveries for foreign markets.

Stocks Cushion the Blow, But Risks Persist

Sulfur reserves act as a temporary buffer against disruptions in the international market. They allow for the maintenance of production and export volumes for a limited period, even when new deliveries decline.

However, a prolonged supply crisis could gradually escalate industrial costs and compel OCP to reassess the distribution of its production across different fertilizer categories. Marketable volumes might then be affected if tensions continue.

Thus, diversifying suppliers, adjusting the product portfolio, and mobilizing stock appear to be three essential levers to mitigate the effects of the crisis. For Morocco’s phosphate industry, the evolution of maritime flows in the Gulf and the availability of sulfur will remain crucial to securing supplies and maintaining the competitiveness of exports.