According to customs data, in March 2026, China's phosphate ore imports totaled 182,000 mt, up 88.2% from 97,000 mt in February and up 144.4% compared to the same period last year (75,000 mt). Total import value in March was $14.552 million, up 74.6% MoM from $8.336 million in February. The unit price was $79.9/mt, down 7.2% significantly from $86.1/mt in February.
1. Phosphate ore imports: China's traditional major phosphate ore source countries were Egypt, Peru, and Jordan, with major importing provinces being Guangxi and Zhejiang, and major importing enterprises including Chuanjinnuo and other coastal phosphochemical enterprises. However, in March, due to logistics disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, there were no phosphate ore imports from Jordan — the first time since September 2023 that no phosphate ore was imported from Jordan to China. The major source countries for phosphate ore imports in March were Egypt and Pakistan.
The top importing provinces in March were Guangxi (71,000 mt), Hubei (42,000 mt), and other regions such as Fujian (52,000 mt), while in February it was Guangxi (88,000 mt). Price side, the unit price was $79.9 in March versus $86.1 in February, showing a price decline in March.
In March, China's phosphate ore imports mainly came from Egypt and Pakistan, with imports of 170,000 mt and 12,000 mt respectively. Affected by factors related to the Strait of Hormuz, phosphate ore from Jordan failed to be imported; however, imports from other regions had already filled the gap. As hindered transportation of high-priced Jordanian phosphate ore left no import volume to support prices, the import unit price of phosphate ore in March pulled back from February, falling below $80/mt.
2. Phosphate ore exports: Japan and South Korea became the main export destinations for phosphate ore in March, with shipments from Hubei to South Korea and Guizhou to Japan dominating.
In March 2026, exports totaled 16,000 mt, up 55.7% from February, with the main export flow directed to Japan and South Korea. Hubei to South Korea and Guizhou to Japan accounted for 12,000 mt and 13,000 mt respectively, at unit prices of $185/mt and $328/mt.
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