Phosphoric Acid (Merchant Grade)
Merchant-grade 52–54% P₂O₅ in chemical tankers and ISO tanks
Merchant-grade phosphoric acid is the intermediate between phosphate rock and every ammonium phosphate fertilizer, and it is bought on P₂O₅ content — 52–54% for the standard MGA contract, some plants shipping 50% or 56% — with the impurity profile deciding whether a given DAP plant can run it. Sulphate as SO₄ at 2–4% maximum tells the buyer how much unreacted sulphuric acid he is paying to ship; fluorine at 1–2% maximum matters for corrosion and for scrubber load; iron and aluminium oxides and magnesium oxide, at roughly 1–2% combined, govern sludge, filtration and the water-solubility of the finished fertilizer; solids at 1–2% maximum settle in tanks and pipelines; specific gravity at about 1.65–1.70 at 20°C is the check that the P₂O₅ figure is honest. Purified (technical) and food-grade acid at 75–85% H₃PO₄ are a different product from a different process, with heavy metals, arsenic and colour capped, and they sell into detergents, metal treatment and beverages at several times the MGA price; they are listed here as grades so that a buyer states which one he means.
Buy MGA when you run a DAP, MAP, TSP, NPK or feed-phosphate plant on imported acid rather than on rock, which is the model of most Indian and several European and Latin American producers. Morocco declared 4.48 million MT of HS 2809.20 exports in 2025, with Pakistan taking 34% and India 32% between them, then Spain, Türkiye, Belgium and the Netherlands, at unit values of USD 764–800 per MT into the Asian buyers (UN Comtrade, 2025 export declarations); Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and China are the other exporters we work, and excluded origins are not offered. The acid moves in stainless-steel or rubber-lined chemical-tanker parcels of 5,000–35,000 MT, and in 20-foot ISO tanks for smaller lots — LaycanDesk, our chartering desk, works the chemical tankers so that acid and freight can be quoted as one delivered number. CBIL brokers MGA and purified acid against independent certification of P₂O₅, SO₄, F, Fe₂O₃ + Al₂O₃, MgO, solids and specific gravity at load, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms.
Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices bagged fertilizer freight on LaycanDesk.
Indicative reference
$760–980 USD / MT
as at September 2026
Reference level only — not an offer, and reviewed quarterly. Levels shown are as at September 2026. Firm pricing is quoted per RFQ, subject to volume, terms and inspection.
Typical Specification
Specifications are indicative and adjusted to the agreed contract and destination requirements. Final spec confirmed on COA / SGS.
Available Grades
Applications
- DAP, MAP & NPK manufacture
- TSP & feed phosphate (DCP) plants
- Liquid fertilizer & superphosphoric acid
- Detergents & metal treatment (purified)
- Food & beverage acidulant (food grade)
Category
Agriculture & Fertilizers
Incoterms
FOB · CFR · CIF
Pricing basis
USD / MT
Inspection
SGS / Intertek at load port
Phosphoric Acid (Merchant Grade) — buyer questions
Is MGA priced per tonne of acid or per tonne of P₂O₅?
Both conventions exist and they differ by nearly half. Long-term contracts into India are usually written per tonne of P₂O₅; spot parcels and Comtrade unit values are per tonne of product at its declared strength. A 54% acid at USD 780 per MT of product is about USD 1,445 per MT of P₂O₅. Say which basis you mean before comparing offers, and have the strength certified at load.
Which impurities stop a cargo?
Magnesium first, because MgO above about 1% fouls filtration and drags the water-soluble P₂O₅ of the finished DAP below contract; then iron and aluminium, which lock phosphate up as insolubles; then solids, which settle out in the tanker and the shore tank and are P₂O₅ you paid for but cannot pump. Sulphate and fluorine are cost and corrosion issues rather than showstoppers. Qualify a new origin on a full analysis and, ideally, a trial parcel.
How does phosphoric acid ship?
In dedicated stainless-steel or rubber-lined chemical-tanker parcels of 5,000–35,000 MT, because MGA corrodes mild steel and needs heated, agitated tanks to keep solids in suspension. Smaller lots go in 20-foot ISO tanks, and purified grades in IBCs. Our chartering desk fixes the tankers, so tell us the discharge terminal's berth and tank limits and we will size the parcel to them.
Merchant grade or purified — which do I need?
Merchant grade if you make fertilizer or feed phosphate; it is a green to brown acid carrying rock impurities and it is priced as a fertilizer intermediate. Purified or food grade if the acid goes into detergents, metal treatment, beverages or pharmaceuticals; it is a clear, low-metals acid at 75–85% H₃PO₄ and costs several times more. Ordering MGA for a food use, or paying purified prices for a DAP plant, are both expensive mistakes.
Ready to source Phosphoric Acid?
Send your quantity, specification, preferred Incoterms and destination port. We'll verify supply and respond with a workable offer — usually within one business day.
Have Phosphoric Acid to sell? Submit an offer — we'll match it against live buyer demand.
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