Year-by-year annual average price for phosphate in USD/metric ton, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey / World Bank Commodity Price Data. Phosphate rock, North Africa export price; 2008 spike caused global food crisis.
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Phosphate is the basis of the global fertilizer industry that feeds 8 billion people. Morocco controls approximately 70% of the world's phosphate reserves, creating a critical food security dependency. Demand is driven primarily by Phosphate fertilizers for crop production, Animal feed supplements, Industrial chemicals and detergents. Supply is concentrated in China, Morocco, United States, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Phosphate prices.
Phosphate prices fell -30.7% from 2023's $150 per USD/metric ton to $104 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
Phosphate prices fell -43.4% from 2022's $265 per USD/metric ton to $150 per USD/metric ton in 2023.
Phosphate prices rose +130.4% from 2021's $115 per USD/metric ton to $265 per USD/metric ton in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 13 years.
Phosphate prices rose +53.3% from 2020's $75 per USD/metric ton to $115 per USD/metric ton in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 6 years.
Phosphate prices fell -15.7% from 2019's $89 per USD/metric ton to $75 per USD/metric ton in 2020. That was the lowest 2020 reading in 12 years.
Movement summaries above are calculated directly from the annual averages shown in the table. Critical Minerals HQ does not attribute price moves to specific events except where backed by sourced reporting.
| Year | Average Price (USD/metric ton) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $104 | -30.7% |
| 2023 | $150 | -43.4% |
| 2022 | $265 | +130.4% |
| 2021 | $115 | +53.3% |
| 2020 | $75 | -15.7% |
| 2019 | $89 | -6.3% |
| 2018 | $95 | +5.6% |
| 2017 | $90 | -2.2% |
| 2016 | $92 | -16.4% |
| 2015 | $110 | -15.4% |
| 2014 | $130 | -13.3% |
| 2013 | $150 | -9.1% |
| 2012 | $165 | -8.3% |
| 2011 | $180 | +63.6% |
| 2010 | $110 | +26.4% |
| 2009 | $87 | -79.8% |
| 2008 | $430 | +667.9% |
| 2007 | $56 | +27.3% |
| 2006 | $44 | +10.0% |
| 2005 | $40 | +21.2% |
| 2004 | $33 | +10.0% |
| 2003 | $30 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | $30 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $30 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $30 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey / World Bank Commodity Price Data. Phosphate rock, North Africa export price; 2008 spike caused global food crisis
The most recent annual average we track is $104 per USD/metric ton for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Phosphate live-price page.
down -30.7% — from $150 per USD/metric ton in 2023 to $104 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
up +16.9% — from $89 per USD/metric ton in 2019 to $104 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
down -20.0% — from $130 per USD/metric ton in 2014 to $104 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
Phosphate is the basis of the global fertilizer industry that feeds 8 billion people. Morocco controls approximately 70% of the world's phosphate reserves, creating a critical food security dependency. Demand is driven primarily by Phosphate fertilizers for crop production, Animal feed supplements, Industrial chemicals and detergents. Supply is concentrated in China, Morocco, United States, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Phosphate prices.
The highest annual average phosphate price in our recorded series was $430 per USD/metric ton in 2008.
U.S. Geological Survey / World Bank Commodity Price Data. Phosphate rock, North Africa export price; 2008 spike caused global food crisis