Dwindling Phosphorus Supplies

The world’s supply of phosphorus for agricultural fertilizers is dwindling, according to a recent article in Scientific American. Global reserves are expected to run out in about 100 years unless new reserves are found or better techniques are developed for extracting phosphate from phosphate-rich rock.

As phosphorus supplies decline and as the world demand for agricultural fertilizers grows, we can expect fertilizer price spikes, phosphate shortages, and perhaps even disruption of food production. Countries with large phosphorus reserves such as Morocco will benefit economically. Morocco could be among the wealthiest nations in the world in 50-100 years.