DMCC Chief Urges Including Fertiliser Minerals in Global Critical Mineral Frameworks

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), argued in an analysis published by Gulf News that global critical mineral discussions must expand beyond technology and energy transition minerals to include agricultural inputs like potash, phosphate rock, sulphur, and nitrogen.

Bin Sulayem noted that the United States designated potash and phosphate as critical minerals in November 2025, and international forums including the G20 and BRICS have increasingly highlighted fertiliser shortages as a strategic risk to food security. In Africa, African Union data cited in the piece showed that farmers apply only about 18 kilograms of fertiliser nutrients per hectare—roughly 13 percent of the global average—while approximately 70 percent of fertiliser produced on the continent is exported.

According to the DMCC chief, the UAE provides an anchor for this trade as the world's leading exporter of sulphur recovered from gas processing. Citing commodity research firm CRU, the article noted UAE sulphur exports were projected to rise from 7 million tonnes in 2024 to 11.4 million tonnes annually by 2029, a material crucial for processing phosphate fertilisers and battery-grade nickel and cobalt.

Bin Sulayem stated that DMCC currently hosts 363 organic and chemical fertiliser companies, supported by platforms such as DMCC Tradeflow, DMCC FinX, and the DMCC Maritime Centre. He advocated applying OECD-aligned due diligence and the proposed Dubai Critical Minerals Standard to fertiliser minerals to establish transparent supply chains and enable trade finance.