Saudi Arabian phosphates producer Maaden has revealed its aims to resume exports through the country's west coast port of Yanbu in the Red Sea.
Typically, Saudi Arabia has exported phosphates from the eastern port of Ras Al-Khair in the Middle East Persian Gulf. But shipments from the port to global destinations must pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked in response to attacks by the US and Israel starting on 28 February.
Maaden expects phosphate shipments from Yanbu to pick up in April.
The company reported selling 15 000 t of MAP to South America in the second week of March. The cargo will likely load from Yanbu.
Maaden will need to transport phosphates from its production facilities at Ras Al-Khair to Yanbu by truck. The logistics will likely limit the total volume that Maaden can export via Yanbu. But the return of Saudi Arabian phosphates to the market could help to ease the restricted global supply.
Saudi Arabia accounted for 19% of global combined DAP and MAP exports in 2025, according to Argus Media’s data.
Original article by Tom Hampson on Argus Media.