China Imposes Export Restrictions on Ammonium Phosphate Following Potassium Hydroxide

The Chinese government has extended export controls to ammonium phosphate, the main raw material for chemical fertilizers, following urea. South Korea's dependence on China for ammonium phosphate reaches 95%, raising concerns about potential damage to domestic farms.

On the 6th, Zhao Hongye, an analyst in the Chinese chemical fertilizer industry, stated in a report posted on the industry online platform China Chemical Fertilizer Network that "the National Development and Reform Commission recently suspended inspections on ammonium phosphate exports," and "some companies have halted production citing environmental pollution inspections by authorities."

It is reported that the Chinese government has stopped new customs clearance for ammonium phosphate since the end of last month.

China is the world's largest producer of urea and ammonium phosphate, and 95.3% of the ammonium phosphate imported by South Korea from January to October this year was Chinese-made. If export restrictions are prolonged, disruptions in the domestic fertilizer supply are expected.