Enab Baladi– Jana al-Issa Over the span of three months, the Syrian government exported nine ships loaded with Syrian phosphate to several destinations and in varying quantities — a sign of notable progress in exporting this strategic resource following the fall of the regime.
On April 22, the first phosphate shipment departed from Tartus Port, carrying 10,000 tons. The ninth shipment left the port on June 26 with a load of 38,500 tons.
According to Mazen Alloush, Director of Public Relations at the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, the total volume of phosphate shipped from Syria during this period reached approximately 180,000 tons.
Alloush told Enab Baladi that the importing countries included Egypt, Romania, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and India, and that the exports were part of cooperation agreements and export contracts signed with international companies specializing in the import of raw phosphate. He added, “We are aiming to expand exports into new markets.”
No Intermediaries
Phosphate exports are conducted through official contracts signed between the General Company for Geology and Mineral Resources (GEGMR) under the Ministry of Energy — the Syrian party owning the material — and foreign importing companies. Implementation is carried out via certified shipping companies under formal customs procedures at Tartus Port.
Alloush confirmed that the process does not involve private intermediaries within Syria but is conducted exclusively through government or officially licensed channels.
Exported quantities are shipped in close succession depending on logistical readiness at the port and international marketing plans.
The phosphate is extracted from mines in the countryside of Homs, then transported to Tartus Port for processing and export procedures, in coordination between the General Authority for Ports and relevant governmental bodies.
5th Largest Exporter Before 2011
Syria ranked fifth globally among phosphate-exporting countries before 2011. Phosphate is the country’s second-most important subterranean resource, after oil and natural gas, in terms of both economic and strategic value.
Despite developments in exploration and production, the sector still lags in terms of research, manufacturing, and export. According to a 2018 research paper by economic analyst Socrates al-Alou, Syria holds an estimated 2 billion tons of confirmed phosphate reserves, yet annual production remains below 3.5 million tons.
Phosphate reserves are located in:
The Palmyra Chain (Khneifis, al-sharqiyah, and al-Rakhim). The Hamad area (Jafifa, Thalithawat, Sijari, and Habari). The coastal area (Ain Lailun, Ain Tina, Qalat al-Mahalba, and Hamam al-Qarahla).TheKhneifis and al-sharqiyah mines in the Palmyrene range are the most economically viable, with phosphate layer thickness between 10–12 meters and reaching up to 20 meters in al-sharqiyah. The phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) content ranges from 28–34%, compared to just 18–22% in other regions.
After the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, phosphate production and export figures declined due to the war and military operations. Additionally, phosphate became a focal point in the broader rivalry between the two allies of the ousted regime’s president, Bashar al-Assad — Russia and Iran.
Plan to Reach 10 Million Tons
Siraj al-Hariri, Director-General of the General Company for Geology and Mineral Resources, stated to ATTAQA at the start of June that the Ministry of Energy is working on an export strategy aiming to produce 6 million tons annually by the end of 2026, eventually reaching 10 million tons by 2027. The plan prioritizes European and Asian markets, particularly China and India.
Hariri noted that activating the SWIFT financial messaging system could transform financial flows and trade transactions. He also believes that easing sanctions could help make Syrian phosphate globally competitive.
A Lifeline for the Economy
Phosphate is one of Syria’s most strategically significant resources — especially as the government searches for alternative sources of revenue following years of war, sanctions, and economic collapse — according to Dr. Firas Shaabo, an expert in financial and banking sciences.
Speaking to Enab Baladi, Shaabo noted that phosphate is used in the production of agricultural fertilizers — a globally indispensable commodity with growing demand from many countries.
These factors may offer Syria a strong export opportunity that could generate millions of dollars annually and support the balance of payments — particularly amid the absence of oil revenues and partial control over oil fields.
“Phosphate could be a vital lifeline for the Syrian economy — if utilized properly and transparently — to serve both the state and its citizens, not just as leverage for foreign political concessions as in the past.” Firas Shaabo
Economist and Financial Analyst
Realistically, however, exploiting this opportunity requires prerequisites that Syria currently lacks — particularly in terms of infrastructure, shipping logistics, and port facilities. Moreover, there is a lack of full technical and security control over the country’s phosphate mines.
This necessitates developing adequate export capacity, including warehouses, shipping companies, and well-equipped transportation infrastructure.
A key challenge, according to Shaabo, is that many phosphate-rich areas in central Syria remain insecure due to the activity of the so-called “Islamic State (ISIS)” — complicating the safe extraction and transport of phosphate.
Other technical hurdles include the dilapidated state of transportation infrastructure — notably the railway and road networks — which hinders the efficient movement of phosphate to export terminals.
Shaabo argued that the Syrian government lacks the technical ability to manage mine development and should therefore rely on foreign companies for this task.
He also stressed the need for a transparent national resource governance strategy that applies not just to phosphate, but also to oil, gas, and other minerals.
Recommendations
Despite Syria’s substantial phosphate reserves, the sector faces severe challenges due to years of conflict and economic sanctions, according to a report titled “In-Depth Analysis of Syria’s Phosphate Sector Until 2025: Opportunities and Challenges.”
The report made several recommendations for sustainable development and increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy, including:
Achieving political stability and attracting foreign investment to rehabilitate infrastructure and modernize production and transport processes. Developing strategies to expand export markets and explore new uses for phosphate in various industries. Adopting environmentally sustainable practices in extraction and processing.The report concluded that with concerted efforts, the phosphate sector could play a pivotal role in rebuilding Syria’s economy and achieving long-term sustainable development.
Direct Exports and Aspirations to Boost Syrian Phosphate Production Enab Baladi.
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