China's Phosphate Ore Imports Down 33.1% MoM in July, Jordan Replaces Egypt as Top Supplier

Published: Aug 20, 2025 16:03
In July 2025, China's phosphate ore imports fell from 179,000 mt in June to 120,000 mt, down 33.1% MoM; the import value decreased from $17.686 million to $11.6 million, down 34.4% MoM. Jordan replaced Egypt as the top supplier. Exports increased from 5,000 mt to 11,000 mt, up 118.7% MoM, with Fujian becoming the sole exporting province.

SMM August 20 News:

In July 2025, China's phosphate ore imports fell from 179,000 mt in June to 120,000 mt, down 33.1% MoM; the import value decreased from $17.686 million to $11.6 million, down 34.4% MoM. Jordan replaced Egypt as the largest importer. Exports increased from 5,000 mt to 11,000 mt, up 118.7% MoM, with Fujian becoming the sole exporting province.

I. Phosphate Ore Imports: The traditional main importing countries of phosphate ore for China are Egypt, Peru, and Jordan. The primary importing provinces are Guangxi and Hubei, among others. The main importing enterprises include Chuanjinuo and other coastal phosphorus chemical companies.

1. In terms of national imports: Hubei and Zhejiang were the main importing provinces in July, while Hubei and Guangxi were the primary importers in June.
The total national imports decreased from 179,000 mt in June to 120,000 mt in July, down 33.1% MoM, indicating a significant contraction in overall import volume. By province, most provinces saw a decline in imports, with Guangxi down 87.8% MoM, Hubei down 19.6% MoM, and Beijing down 98.0% MoM; however, Zhejiang's imports surged, up 3931.3% MoM, and Shanghai also saw a substantial increase of 1169.7% MoM, while Shandong's imports grew 73.2% MoM.


2. In terms of national import value: Beijing and Shanghai are the registration locations for large phosphate chemical enterprises or trading companies, where phosphate ore is delivered to coastal or riverside subsidiaries or phosphate chemical enterprises for use.
The total national import value decreased from $1.7686 million in June to $1.16 million in July, down 34.4% MoM, consistent with the trend in imports. The import values of Guangxi, Hubei, Beijing, and other provinces significantly declined along with the decrease in import volume, while Zhejiang's import value surged 4802.5% MoM, Shanghai increased by 962.3%, and Shandong rose by 77.2%.

3. Regarding the national average import price
The national average import price slightly dropped from $98.8/mt in June to $96.9/mt in July, down 2.0% MoM. Most provinces experienced varying degrees of fluctuation in unit prices, with Guangxi, Zhejiang, Shandong, and other provinces seeing an increase, among which Zhejiang stood out with a 21.6% rise; Hubei and Shanghai saw a decline, with Hubei dropping by 8.2% and Shanghai by 16.3%; Beijing's price was basically flat, up only 0.2% MoM.

4. In terms of phosphate ore importing countries: Traditionally, the main sources of phosphate ore imports to China have been Egypt and Jordan. In July, Jordan replaced Egypt as the largest supplier of phosphate ore to China.

(1) By country, Egypt's imports plummeted, down 94.3% MoM from 106,000 mt in June to 6,000 mt in July; Peru's imports fell 19.5% MoM from 51,000 mt (34%) in June to 49,000 mt, but its share increased to 41%. In contrast, Jordan's imports surged by 1,426.6% MoM, rising from 3,000 mt in June to 50,000 mt in July, accounting for 42% and becoming the largest importer in July; Pakistan's imports grew 58.6% MoM, increasing from 9,000 mt to 15,000 mt, contributing significantly to the growth in import volume.

(2) In terms of import value by country, the total national import value decreased from $1.7686 million in June to $1.16 million in July, down 34.4% MoM. The import value from Egypt fell sharply with a significant drop in imports, down 94.4% MoM; the import value from Peru decreased by 26.2% MoM. The import value from Jordan surged as imports increased dramatically, up 1429.5% MoM; the import value from Pakistan rose by 67.2% MoM; despite a low base, the import value from Kazakhstan saw an increase of 158.6% MoM.

(3) Regarding the import price per ton by country, the national average import price slightly declined from $98.8/mt in June to $96.9/mt in July, down 2.0% MoM. Prices in most countries fluctuated to varying degrees: Egypt's price dropped from $85.8/mt to $84.4/mt, and Peru's price fell from $125/mt to $114.6/mt, down 1.6% and 8.4% MoM respectively; Pakistan's price increased from $80.8/mt to $85.2/mt, up 5.4% MoM; Jordan's price remained basically flat, at $84.1/mt in June and $84.3/mt in July, up 0.2% MoM.

II. Phosphate Ore Export Situation

Total phosphate ore exports nationwide increased from 5,000 mt in June to 11,000 mt in July, up 118.7% MoM, indicating a significant expansion in export volume.

Provincial export performance varied: In June, only Hubei had 5,000 mt of exports, while Guizhou, Yunnan, Fujian, and other provinces had no exports. By July, Hubei's exports dropped to zero, down 100% MoM; Fujian added 11,000 mt of exports, becoming the sole province exporting phosphate ore in July, with Guizhou, Yunnan, and other provinces still showing no exports.


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