TSP Fertilizer 0-46-0

Triple superphosphate, granular 46% P₂O₅, no nitrogen

Triple superphosphate is the straight phosphate of the trade: 46% available P₂O₅ of which about 85% is water-soluble, no nitrogen, and around 14% calcium, which is why it is preferred in pasture and legume agriculture where nitrogen is fixed by the crop or applied separately. The specification is short, available and water-soluble P₂O₅, free acid at 3% maximum (TSP is made with phosphoric acid and carries some), moisture at 3–4% maximum and granule size 2–4 mm, and the traps are free acid and moisture, because a wet, acidic TSP corrodes bags, cakes in a hold and attacks steel. Cadmium is the same story as DAP, carried from the rock and capped in a growing number of markets. TSP is also sold as powder (run-of-pile) for blending and for manufacturers making their own granular NPK, at a discount to the granular grade.

Buy TSP when the programme wants phosphate without nitrogen, on legumes, clover and pasture, oil palm and rubber, sugar cane where nitrogen goes on as urea, and in blends where the nitrogen source is chosen separately; and buy it when the price per unit of P₂O₅ beats DAP and MAP, which it often does because there is no ammonia in it. The trade is concentrated: Morocco and Tunisia supply most of it, China and Israel the balance, into Brazil, Australia, Southeast Asia and East Africa. CBIL brokers granular and powder TSP from Moroccan, Tunisian and Chinese producers against independent certification of available and water-soluble P₂O₅, free acid, moisture and size at load, in bulk and 50 kg bags, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms.