Production Of Phosphate Rock In The United States, By Period

This table presents detailed data on the production of phosphate rock in the United States, segmented by semiannual periods for the years 2022 and 2023. It includes figures for crude ore mined, expressed in thousand metric tons, along with the phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) content, as well as marketable beneficiated production and its P2O5 content. Additionally, the table provides the estimated value of the phosphate rock produced and ending stocks for each period. This information is critical for understanding the supply dynamics of phosphate rock, a key raw material used primarily in fertilizer production, which directly impacts agricultural productivity, food security, and various industrial applications.

Analyzing the data reveals a notable increase in crude ore production from 84,900 thousand metric tons in 2022 to 93,900 thousand metric tons in 2023, representing an approximate 10.6% rise. Correspondingly, the P2O5 content in mined ore increased from 7,490 to 8,220 thousand metric tons, indicating an improvement in ore quality or extraction efficiency. Marketable beneficiated production remained relatively stable at around 19,800 thousand metric tons in 2022 and 19,600 thousand metric tons in 2023, with consistent P2O5 content of 5,590 thousand metric tons for both years. The value of phosphate rock production saw a slight increase from $1.96 billion in 2022 to $1.98 billion in 2023. Ending stocks of rock decreased from 10,200–10,600 thousand metric tons in 2022 to 9,140–9,550 thousand metric tons in 2023, suggesting a tightening supply or increased consumption during the latter period. These trends highlight a growing production capacity paired with steady market demand within the U.S. phosphate industry.