Skip to main content

Sulphur 424 May-Jun 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

Australia fast-tracks Murchison green ammonia project

Australia’s federal government has selected the Murchison Green Hydrogen project in Western Australia as one of four pilot projects under its newly launched Investor Front Door initiative, a scheme designed to streamline regulatory approvals and fast-track major projects deemed to be in the national interest, the government announced 9 April. The Murchison project, which will use wind and solar energy to produce large-scale green ammonia, is intended to serve as a model for commercial-scale green hydrogen development in Australia and to generate green export opportunities to markets in Asia and Europe. Murchison, being developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP), is expected to have a total production capacity of roughly 1.3 million t/a of green ammonia. The first phase of operations is due to begin in 2029.

CF Industries delays turnaround to ease supply concerns

CF Industries has delayed a planned multi-week maintenance turnaround at its Donaldsonville, Louisiana complex, the world’s largest ammonia production facility, in response to the supply disruption caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure, the producer announced in a press release. The company said the decision is expected to make approximately 100,000 tonnes of additional granular urea available to US customers during the spring application season. CF Industries added that it is also prioritising new sales to domestic customers over higher-priced export orders for the duration of the spring planting season.