Morocco has positioned itself as one of the key players in international efforts to reduce cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers. As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of phosphate fertilizers, the country’s actions carry significant weight in global supply chains and will have far-reaching implications for public health, food security and sustainable agriculture.
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Since January 2025, all phosphate fertilizers exported from Morocco to European markets contain less than 20 milligrams of cadmium per kilogram of phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). This concentration is significantly lower than the European Union’s binding threshold of 60 mg/kg introduced under the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation in 2022. It also means that Moroccan phosphate-based fertilizers have the right to use the low-cadmium label granted by the EU FPR to fertilizer products with a cadmium content of less than 20 mg/kg P₂O₅. By achieving cadmium levels at this lower threshold, Morocco has gone beyond minimum compliance and aligned with best sectoral practices.
OCP, Morocco’s leading phosphate and fertilizer group, has been the driving force behind this achievement. Through sustained investments in advanced decadmiation technologies and production processes, OCP has been able to meet the stringent requirements of importing markets. In July 2025, OCP Nutricrops has obtained the EU Low Cadmium label for its range of customized fertilizer products, reaffirming its commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture. This proves that Nutricrops fertilizers meet the most demanding standards, further reinforcing OCP’s reputation as a reliable partner of the European Union.
OCP’s strategy goes further than meeting EU requirements. The company has announced plans to expand its low-cadmium benchmark across all fertilizer products worldwide by the end of 2025. This commitment marks an important step towards embedding sustainability across its operations, rather than treating regulatory compliance as the end goal. In practice, this means that farmers in all markets supplied by OCP will gain access to safer, more sustainable fertilizer products.
The health rationale behind low-cadmium phosphate fertilizers is widely recognized. Cadmium is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in soils, but agricultural and industrial activities can lead to elevated concentrations. Chronic exposure through the food chain has been linked to kidney damage, bone fragility, and cancer risks. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies cadmium as a known human carcinogen, underscoring the urgency of limiting its presence in fertilizers that ultimately affect food crops. By ensuring low cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers, manufacturers are contributing directly to reducing these risks for consumers across Europe and beyond.
The broader implications of OCP’s approach are also significant. The European agriculture sector, which relies heavily on phosphate fertilizers to maintain crop yields, now benefits from greater guarantees of quality and safety. Importing countries can count on stable supplies of fertilizers that meet both environmental and food safety objectives. At the same time, OCP reinforces its position as a responsible supplier capable of balancing industrial-scale production with strict environmental and health safeguards.
This important move towards low-cadmium fertilizers comes at a time when global agricultural systems are under pressure to improve sustainability, protect ecosystems, and meet growing demand for food. OCP’s early adoption of low-cadmium standards shows how a major producer can shape international best practices.
More information available at:
OCP certifies low cadmium phosphates, BCInsight - link
OCP Nutricrops sets global standard with low-cadmium fertilizer, 7newsMorocco - link