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SITCSection 2
U.S. imports of unground natural calcium phosphates, aluminum calcium phosphates & phosphatic chalk (SITC 27231) totaled $20.7M in April 2026, traded with 2 countries.
Unground Natural Calcium Phosphates, Aluminum Calcium Phosphates & Phosphatic Chalk imports of $20.7M in April 2026 ran 16% below the year-to-date monthly average of $24.8M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataUnground natural phosphate rock — encompassing calcium phosphates, aluminum calcium phosphates, and phosphatic chalk — is the raw mineral feedstock for the global phosphate fertilizer supply chain. The unground designation is commercially significant: it indicates the ore has not yet been milled or beneficiated, placing it earlier in the processing chain than ground or treated phosphate products. Phosphate rock deposits are geographically concentrated, making supply-chain continuity a key concern for fertilizer manufacturers who depend on consistent ore quality and P₂O₅ grade. Classification as 'imports only' reflects the US's position as a net importer of certain phosphate ore grades.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The distinction is physical processing state: unground material has not been subjected to milling or size reduction beyond rough crushing, while ground material has been mechanically reduced to a finer particle size. The boundary can be contested when material is coarsely crushed; importers should document the processing steps and particle size distribution to support the correct heading at entry.
The 'imports only' designation indicates that the US statistical schedule tracks this commodity specifically for import reporting purposes, reflecting that the US imports certain grades or types of phosphate rock that supplement domestic production. It does not affect duty treatment but is relevant for accurate Census Bureau trade reporting at the time of entry.
Monthly import values over time
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