--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20261015-china-phosphate-exports-2026-sulfur-argus/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # China phosphate exports collapse to near zero in 2026 as sulfur squeeze bites, Argus sees 2mt rebound Publication Date: 2026-10-15T13:00:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-10-15T00:25:08-04:00 Author: Kim Clarksen (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/kimclarksen/) Categories: [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/), [Phosphate](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/phosphate/), [Sanctions & Export Controls](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/sanctions-export-controls/), [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/) ![Coal ship sailing along the Three gorges region of Yangtze river in China](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/istock-135873811.jpg) China phosphate exports fell from 5.3 million tonnes in 2025 to almost nothing, keeping phosphate the least affordable major nutrient worldwide. China phosphate exports have shrunk to almost nothing in 2026 from 5.3 million tonnes in 2025, as tight sulfur supplies keep Chinese output focused on the home market, according to Argus Media analysis reported by the Western Producer. Lynn Wang, senior consultant for China at Argus, said Beijing uses export policy to manage its domestic fertilizer market, curbing shipments of phosphate and sulfuric acid. "Because of tight sulfur supplies, Chinese phosphate fertilizer production is currently focused solely on meeting domestic demand," she said. Argus expects a slight rebound to about 2 million tonnes of Chinese phosphate exports next year, with further recovery once sulfur supply is more secure. Urea tells a different story. China exported six to seven million tonnes of urea in 2026 and will likely do so again in 2027, which helped pull urea prices down since the start of the U.S.-Iran war, Argus said. Phosphate affordability, by contrast, remains at its worst level in years on Argus's index. China's absence from phosphate trade adds to pressure in import-dependent markets, where a sulfur shortage is already [idling Brazilian MAP, SSP and TSP capacity](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260924-brazil-phosphate-shortage-sulfur-2026/). Source: [Western Producer](https://www.producer.com/news/urea-prices-more-affordable-phosphate-is-not/) Tags: [China](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/china/), [DAP](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/dap/), [export quotas](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/export-quotas/), [Fertilizer exports](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-exports/), [fertilizer prices](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-prices/), [phosphate](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/phosphate/), [sulfur](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/sulfur/), [urea](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/urea/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.