Addis Ababa, February 25, 2025 (FMC) – PhosAgro Group, a leading global producer of phosphate-based fertilizers, announced a significant boost in its mineral fertilizer shipments to African nations, with a 33% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. The total export volume surpassed 730,000 tonnes, up from 548,000 tonnes in 2023.
Among the top five African importers of PhosAgro’s products, South Africa saw a 10% rise in shipments, while Mozambique experienced an impressive 80% increase. Morocco’s imports soared by approximately 450%, followed by Cameroon at 60%. Additionally, Ethiopia made a considerable fertilizer purchase from PhosAgro for the first time in eight years.
Mikhail Sterkin, Deputy CEO of PhosAgro for Sales and Marketing, remarked, “PhosAgro is the largest Russian supplier of fertilizers to Africa, accounting for about 40% of all Russian mineral fertilizer exports to the continent. Our contributions, representing around 7% of total fertilizer imports in Africa, are crucial for enhancing food security and sovereignty on the continent.”
He highlighted the issue of soil contamination, stating that 40% of Africa’s land suffers degradation due to cadmium pollution from substandard fertilizers. “Our mineral fertilizers are cadmium-free and environmentally safe, playing a vital role in sustaining healthy soils and agricultural products,” he added. PhosAgro intends to further strengthen ties with its African partners in this regard.
In addition to its fertilizer initiatives, PhosAgro is committed to soil protection efforts in Africa. The company has partnered with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to launch the African Soil Laboratory Network (AFRILAB), which comprises 220 laboratories in 54 countries aimed at monitoring soil conditions and ensuring fertilizer safety.
Furthermore, PhosAgro and the FAO have introduced the Global Soil Doctors program, providing soil testing kits to farmers in developing nations, particularly in Africa, to help them evaluate soil health and enhance crop yields sustainably.
In February 2024, a new agreement was signed between PhosAgro and the FAO to finance the third phase of their global soil protection initiative, further expanding the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) to over 160 countries and 1,000 laboratories.
PhosAgro has also joined the FAO’s recarbonization initiative, RECSOIL, which aims to manage and sequester soil carbon, crucial to combating climate change. The company collaborates with UNESCO to support research in environmental protection as part of its Green Chemistry for Life program, awarding grants to young scientists, particularly from Africa.
In a move to enhance agricultural education, PhosAgro introduced Pro Agro Lectorium, a digital platform offering online agricultural training for African farmers. The initiative was launched during the second Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, along with cooperation agreements signed with various African and Russian universities to foster research and education in sustainable agriculture.
PhosAgro, a vertically integrated Russian company, is recognized as one of the foremost producers of phosphate-based fertilizers and high-grade phosphate rock, with a P2O5 content of 39%, and its high-performance fertilizers are designed to produce superior crops.