Mexico remains the top importer of phosphates extracted from the Sahara in 2023, according to a report published Wednesday, May 22nd by Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), an NGO close to the Polisario Front. This North American country, which recognizes the so-called «SADR», imported 700,300 tons of phosphate last year, worth $178.5 million, according to WSRW. The entire amount was destined for the Mexican company Innophos, owned by the American private equity firm One Rock. The Biden administration resumed importing phosphates from the Sahara in July 2021, following a three-year suspension. Innophos did the same, ending its boycott which began on July 2nd, 2018. India ranked second among the main importers of phosphate rock extracted from the Sahara, with 667,300 tons imported for $170.2 million. Together, Mexico and India account for 86% of all phosphate imports from the Sahara. New Zealand came in third with 208,200 tons, worth $53 million, according to WSRW. Japan, Brazil, and Estonia complete the list, but with smaller quantities. In total, 29 ships left the territory with 1.6 million tons of phosphate ore, a slight increase compared to the 1.23 million tons recorded in 2022. WSRW estimates the revenues in 2023 to be over $400 million. According to official Moroccan figures revealed last March, the OCP group achieved a turnover of 91 billion dirhams (about $9 billion) in 2023. «Contrary to what can be read in materials related to the phosphate sector, only 2% of the resources are found in the Sahara. The main deposits are located in northern Morocco», Mostapha Terrab, the general director of OCP, clarified in May 2023.
