Salient Phosphate Rock Statistics

This table presents key statistics on phosphate rock production, marketable output, consumption, imports, and stock levels in the United States, along with global production figures. Phosphate rock is a critical raw material primarily used in fertilizer manufacturing, making it essential for agricultural productivity and food security. Tracking these data points provides insight into the supply chain dynamics, economic value, and trade aspects of phosphate rock, which influence domestic industry decisions and international market trends.

Between 2019 and 2023, U.S. mine production of crude phosphate rock showed a decline from 105 million metric tons to an estimated 93.9 million metric tons in 2023, after reaching a low of 84.9 million metric tons in 2022. Marketable production followed a similar downward trend, with gross weight decreasing from 23.3 million metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 19.6 million metric tons in 2023. Despite lower production volumes, the value of phosphate rock sold or used by producers increased from $1.59 billion in 2019 to an estimated $2 billion in 2023, reflecting a rise in average prices per metric ton from $68 to $101. Imports for consumption also increased steadily, reaching 2.59 million metric tons in 2023 with an average cost of $147.32 per metric ton, indicating growing reliance on foreign sources amid domestic production fluctuations. Globally, phosphate rock production remained relatively stable, with 233 million metric tons produced in 2023, slightly up from 226 million metric tons in 2019, underscoring the continued importance of this mineral in worldwide agricultural supply chains.