Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary of Morocco’s fertilizer giant OCP Group, signed an agreement with US-based Koch Ag & Energy Solutions to establish a new 50/50 joint venture in Morocco’s Jorf Lasfar fertilizer complex.
A joint statement from the groups announced the signing of the agreement today, which will allow Koch to invest in Jorf Fertilizers Company I (JFC I) from OCP Nutricrops.
Upon closing, the transaction will establish a 50/50 operating joint venture between the groups.
The companies said the partnership reflects the long-standing relationship between Koch and OCP, which was strengthened in 2022 when Koch acquired a 50% interest in Jorf Fertilizers Company III, renamed Kofert.
“JFC I owns and operates a phosphate fertilizer production facility in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, with the capacity to produce up to 1.2 million metric tons annually of phosphate-based fertilizers,” the statement said, noting that the facility forms part of the Jorf Fertilizer Complex—the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer production platform.
“This investment builds on the successful collaboration we have had through the Kofert venture,” said Scott McGinn, Koch Fertilizer President.
“We are excited to expand Koch Fertilizer’s phosphate offering for our customers and to continue to grow Koch’s long-standing relationship with OCP,” McGinn added.
OCP Nutricrops also expressed satisfaction with the signing, stating that the agreement represents an “important milestone” in the “long-standing” partnership between the group and Koch.
“The joint venture strengthens our ability to deliver reliable, high-quality soil nutrition solutions to farmers and customers, including across North America, while contributing to more resilient agricultural value chains and long-term food security,” stated Faris Derrij, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OCP Nutricrops.
Once the transaction closes, the joint ventures will represent a combined annual production capacity of approximately 2.5 million metric tons of phosphate-based fertilizers.
The deal will mark a new phase in the parties’ long-standing collaboration in the Jorf Fertilizer Complex.
The venture will serve customers across the world, including in North America, with the statement describing the venture as a key project that comes at an “important moment” for North American agriculture, recalling farmers’ and customers’ demand.
Koch and OCP Nutricrops concluded that the transaction is pending satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
The news comes a month after the US announced that it suspended certain import duties on phosphate fertilizer from Morocco after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over fertilizer supplies.
The move further strengthens Morocco’s position as a key supplier to the American agriculture sector.
