Morocco Reduces Fertilizer Exports to France in 2026

Morocco's fertilizer exports to France have significantly decreased by 42.2% in the first nine months of 2026, while imports of French petroleum products have risen by 49.7%.

According to recent trade data, Morocco's fertilizer shipments to France dropped to 101,973 tons, compared to 176,533 tons in the previous year. The value of these exports also decreased by 29.1%, from 96.54 million euros to 68.46 million euros. Conversely, France's exports of petroleum products to Morocco increased to 111,657 tons, valued at 90.14 million euros, marking a 70.4% increase in value. This shift is driven by higher shipments of gas oil, fuel oil, and various types of gasoline.

Specific fertilizer exports from Morocco to France saw notable declines. Exports of diammonium phosphate decreased by 59.9%, and exports of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) compound fertilizers dropped by 82.9%. Despite these decreases, Morocco maintained its leadership in supplying superphosphate to France, with a market share of 40.8%.

Detailed statistics from French customs data reveal that the decrease in Morocco's fertilizer exports amounted to 74,560 tons over the nine-month period. However, the average customs value per ton of these exports increased from 546.85 euros to 671.33 euros, a 22.8% rise. This increase in unit value helped mitigate the overall impact of the quantity reduction on the total value of shipments to the French market.

Morocco's share of France's total fertilizer imports decreased from 3.06% to 1.83% in terms of volume, and from 5.13% to 3.21% in terms of value. This places Morocco in the eighth position among suppliers by value and the ninth by volume. In contrast, Morocco advanced to the fourteenth position among France's export destinations for petroleum products classified under code 2710, up from the eighteenth position in the same period last year.

Comparing the flows of fertilizers and petroleum products highlights a significant shift in bilateral trade dynamics. France transitioned from importing Moroccan fertilizers worth more than its petroleum exports to Morocco by 43.64 million euros in the first nine months of 2025, to recording a deficit in this trade balance during the same period in 2026.

**Context:** This shift in trade dynamics between Morocco and France is significant for several reasons. It reflects broader changes in global fertilizer and energy markets, influenced by factors such as geopolitical tensions, environmental regulations, and fluctuations in commodity prices. For Morocco, the reduction in fertilizer exports may indicate a strategic pivot towards domestic agricultural needs or diversification of export markets. Conversely, the increase in petroleum product imports underscores France's energy security concerns and Morocco's reliance on imported energy. This trade realignment could have implications for bilateral relations, agricultural policies, and energy strategies in both countries.