Countries are running out of phosphorus.

 

 
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www.phosphorusplatform.eu / www.espc2013.org Phosphorus is essential for worldwide food security. This irreplaceable natural resource is being used up increasingly fast. The demand for phosphorus is growing and virtually all phosphorus rock is mined in countries outside of Europe. In Europe, phosphorus is not being treated sustainably.

The phosphorus problem

  1. Phosphorus equals food

    • Without phosphorus, we can't produce food. Phosphorus is as essential as water, carbon or oxygen.

  2. Growing food demand, growing phosphorus demand

    • Nine billion mouths to feed by 2050 with growing appetite for meat and dairy means increasing demand for phosphorus.

  3. An inefficient global food system

    • Phosphorus is mis-managed. Four-fifths is lost or wasted getting from mine to field to fork.

  4. Finite phosphate: we've used up the good stuff

    • High quality phosphate rock is running out, and other resources are much more expensive.

  5. Cheap fertilizer - a thing of the past for farmers

    • Farmers need access to phosphorus, yet a billion farmers lack access to fertilizer markets.

  6. Geopolitical risks: an issue of national security?

    • 75% of the world's remaining phosphorus is in Morocco. The US has 20 years left. Europe and Australia have practically none.