By: Chris Cicinelli, Associate Editor
Annual global phosphate-based fertilizers are nearly 53 million tons. The primary source of the phosphate for these fertilizers are acquired through processing 270 million tons of mined phosphate rock. This phosphate processing has only a 10% efficiency according to some experts. The remaining lost phosphate creates massive dead zones where most organisms cannot survive. Reseacher's have considered the environmental consequences in conjunction with an estimated 60% increase in phosphate demand by 2050, and are raising red flags regarding the global phosphorus supply chain’s lack of transparency.
The University of Iceland and Stockholm University performed a study that demonstrated an alarming lack of information regarding the global phosphorus supply chain. According to Eduard Nedelciu, main author of the study, "Cradle-to-grave reporting along the phosphorus supply chain can reveal the untold story about the social, environmental, ethical and economic price we pay for the food we see on our supermarket shelves. It can also help countries - most of which are dependent on phosphate imports - tailor better policies to decrease the vulnerability of their agricultural sector".