Un peu de Mary: Part II: Phosphorus Plants

This part of the trip was not as aesthetically pleasing as everything else, but it definitely made an impression on me and reminded me of the ongoing political toils that this country has with Western Sahara. In 2001 Morocco and Western Sahara were the second largest producer of phosphate rock, after the United States. Phosphorus is a chemical used to make fertilizer. After passing what felt like miles of sardine factories along the coast in Safi (see map from post below), we entered the port of Jorf Lasfar. This port houses phosphorus and electricity facilities and generates more than half of Morocco's total electricity. This facility is considered the largest independent power plant in Africa.

Morocco holds 45% of the world market share in phosphate rock (Australia and China are the other large producers). Global phosphate consumption grew in 2003 and prices rose in 2005. The growing economies of India and China and their increase in agricultural productivity heavily influenced the prices of phosphate. The price rose from US$40 per ton in 2005, to over US$400 per ton in 2008, and then decreased to under US$200 per ton in late 2008.

I gather that a big reason why Morocco wants to hold onto the Western Sahara is because of the phosphorus industry and the possibility for offshore oil drilling. The Moroccan government controls all of Western Sahara's trade and economic activities, which are dependent on agriculture, fishing, and phosphate mining.

Phosphorus factory