Abstract
The BACI trade statistics for 2005 were analyzed to determine the dependency of Asian countries on phosphorus, in particular for phosphorus ore, yellow phosphorus, chemicals, and fertilizers. The data revealed a complex set of patterns, with some countries relying heavily on just one or two countries to meet their commodity needs, and others drawing from a wide range of sources. In many cases, a strong dependency was noted on a country which itself was heavily dependent on another source for its commodity needs. Considering the geopolitical issues at hand, it is essential that special attention is paid to maintaining a stable supply of phosphorus to ensure stability in agricultural production as well as in the many industries which use chemicals containing phosphorus.
