US ammonium phosphate fertilizer imports drop in H1 as demand sinks

US imports of ammonium phosphate fertilizers fell 12.92% year over year in the first half of 2026, while exports grew 49.34%, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Trade Analytics Suite.

Part of the import reduction year over year was explained by phosphate prices remaining higher in other key regions of the world, with producers able to realize higher netback selling in markets outside the US, reflecting "little incentive" for producers to send fertilizer to the US, Mosaic CEO Bruce Bodine said during the company's second-quarter earnings call Aug. 5.

Diammonium phosphate imports rose 3.10% year over year to 579,349 mt in H1, while imports of monoammonium phosphate dropped 31.46% year over year to 272,976 mt.

Saudi Arabia led DAP exports to the US with 380,684 mt, down 1.67% year over year. Mexico sent 57,186 mt of DAP to the US, while Jordan supplied 52,135 mt of DAP in the period, both increasing year over year.

Saudi Arabia was the top MAP exporter to the US, with 84,724 mt shipped during the period, down 35.82% year over year.

Decline in phosphate application

Amid a combination of US farm economic challenges, fertilizer affordability and supply issues, phosphate application in North America was down about 30% in 2026 compared with a typical year, Mosaic said during its call.

Triple superphosphate imports decreased 20.16% during H1 to 179,326 mt year over year. Israel was the top TSP supplier, with 124,309 mt shipped to the US, down 5.22% year over year, followed by Lebanon with 33,000 mt.

Looking forward, OCP Nutricrops has moved its first TSP cargo to the US following the suspension of the US countervailing duty order on Moroccan phosphate fertilizers, the company said during the week ended July 30.

OCP's efforts continue to shift toward higher-value-added solutions, particularly its TSP in established markets, despite being the world's largest TSP producer.

"High fertilizer prices have created demand destruction as farmers have delayed or deferred applications in an attempt to improve their economics," Itafos CEO David Delaney said during the company's second-quarter earnings call Aug. 7. "That strategy will become increasingly difficult to execute in the upcoming planting seasons, as the prospect of declining yields due to low applications becomes more widespread."

Exports increase

US exports of ammonium phosphate fertilizers rose 49.34% year over year in the first half of the year to 2,604 million mt, according to the data.

The export increase is explained by Mosaic's continued optimization of production across its phosphate plants to meet active demand while preserving margins and avoiding high-cost inventory builds, Mosaic said during its call.

US MAP exports rose 32.7% year over year to 1,121 million mt, with Canada the top MAP receiver at 845,476 mt, up 14.13% year over year.

Brazil's imports totaled 102,558 mt of MAP, up 94.14% year over year. Argentina followed with 53,767 mt MAP imported in the period, up 230.89% year over year.

Exports also increased amid the discounted prices of US domestic New Orleans ammonium barges market during the period, over the international prices, influenced in part by US demand reduction.

In H1, India imported 158,380 mt of DAP, while Thailand imported 65,329 mt of DAP, both compared with no US DAP imports in recent years.

US nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer exports rose 36.32% in the period to 973,215 mt, mostly to Brazil, Canada and Argentina.

During the period, Mosaic also continued to field demand inquiries from destinations historically served by Chinese suppliers amid export policies.