Skip to main content

Sulphur 424 May-Jun 2026

21 May 2026

OCP announces Q2 production cuts

OCP announces Q2 production cuts

Morocco’s OCP is bringing forward its maintenance schedule and expects a reduction of up to 30% in output for the second quarter of 2026, the company said 2 April, with some plants beginning maintenance next week.

“In response to current geopolitical uncertainties, OCP is advancing its maintenance schedule,” the company said. “In Q2, up to 30% of the group’s production capacity would be affected, with some plants maintenance to start next week. This decision reflects a proactive approach to asset optimisation, operational planning and industrial flexibility. The Group remains responsive to market conditions and focused on ensuring production reliability.”

Though the company has not confirmed, concerns over supply of raw material sulphur are likely a key driver for the move, as a large share of sulphur supply comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any reduction in output threatens to further tighten what is already an exceptionally tight global market for phosphates.

Latest in Agricultural

Price Trends

Ammonia values have continued to ease across most regions at the end of June, as the first ammonia vessels begin to exit the Gulf since the Iranian conflict began. Iranian ammonia had also begun to flow to India following the US Treasury’s issuance of a 60-day sanctions waiver on 22 June, allowing dollar-denominated trade in Iranian petrochemical products through 21 August. As a result, Indian bids have been heard as low as $750/t c.fr, as buyers benefit from a widening pool of available supply - Iranian, Chinese and renewed Southeast Asian material are all competing for the same business.