Single Superphosphate (SSP)
SSP from China — a phosphate fertilizer carrying 16–20% available P2O5 together with sulphur and calcium, supplied granular or powdered to the specification used in the destination market.
0-16-0 to 0-20-0 Ca(H2PO4)2 + CaSO4 Granule or powder
Available on enquiry — supply confirmed per order
Single superphosphate is the oldest phosphate fertilizer still in commercial use, and it survives because it delivers three nutrients rather than one. Alongside 16–20% available P2O5 it carries 11–12% sulphur as calcium sulfate and a substantial calcium content.
The grade is not standardised across markets the way DAP is. China produces and exports material in the 12–16% P2O5 range, Brazil and parts of Africa buy 18–20%, and the test method used to state the P2O5 figure differs between them. A specification that is simply described as "SSP" is not enough to quote against.
SSP is also the phosphate source that carries the least processing energy, which shows up in its price when energy costs are high. It is bought where sulphur deficiency matters — oilseeds, legumes, pasture — and where a cheap phosphate source is wanted for local granulation.
Grades that are actually traded
The nominal grade is the headline. What a buyer can actually order is the set of grades the market quotes, and they are not interchangeable on price or on analysis:
- 0-16-0
- 0-18-0
- 0-20-0
Availability of any specific grade is confirmed per order against the production schedule. A grade that is quoted today is not a grade that is in stock.
Specification
The table below gives the nominal analysis and the parameters that a buyer should write into the contract. Values that depend on the production lot are not printed as numbers here, because a number on a website is not a guarantee — the lot COA is.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Available P2O5 | 16–20% depending on the grade ordered The guaranteed figure is stated per lot |
| Water-soluble P2O5 | Confirmed per lot — see TDS / COA |
| Sulphur (S) | 11–12% typical Confirmed per lot |
| Calcium (CaO) | Confirmed per lot — see TDS / COA |
| Free acid (as P2O5) | Confirmed per lot — see TDS / COA |
| Moisture | Confirmed per lot — see TDS / COA |
| Granule size 2–4 mm | Confirmed per lot — see TDS / COA |
Typical values describe the grade as it is normally traded. The guaranteed analysis for your order is the one stated on the certificate of analysis issued for the production lot, and it is confirmed in the sales contract before shipment.
Applications
- Direct application where sulphur deficiency is present
- Pasture, legumes and oilseed crops
- Local compound granulation
- Blending for sulphur-bearing NPK compounds
Why this product, and not the one next to it
Three nutrients in one product
Phosphate, sulphur and calcium arrive together, which is why SSP holds a place in oilseed and pasture programmes that a pure phosphate cannot fill.
Low processing energy
SSP requires less energy per unit of P2O5 than TSP or DAP, and its price reflects that when energy is the cost driver.
Made to the local grade
Because the grade is not globally standardised, the material is produced to the analysis the destination market actually uses rather than to a single nominal figure.
Packaging options
- 50 kg PP woven bags with PE liner
- 1000 kg jumbo bags (FIBC)
- Bulk in vessel, for full cargoes
Loading quantity depends on packaging, container type and the weight limit of the destination country. It is confirmed per order. The bag type, bag weight, liner and marks are stated on the quotation so that two offers can be compared on the same basis.
Quality documentation
- Certificate of analysis for the production lot, stating the test method used for P2O5
- Technical data sheet
- Packing list and commercial invoice
- Certificate of origin
Documents are issued on a per-shipment basis. Certification availability is confirmed for each order before contract.
Export considerations
The single most common dispute on SSP is a P2O5 figure quoted on a different basis from the one the buyer tests against. The quotation must state the grade, the test method and whether the figure is total or available P2O5.
SSP is fertilizer grade and is not classified as dangerous goods. Its free acid content is the handling parameter to control.
Chinese export inspection and licensing requirements are confirmed per order at the time of shipment.
Export regulations and import requirements can change. This is a general overview written for buyers, not a substitute for confirming current requirements with your customs broker and with our export team before you commit to a shipment.
Questions buyers ask about SSP
What P2O5 content should I specify for SSP?
Specify the figure your market actually tests against, and state the method. Chinese material is commonly offered at 12–16% available P2O5; Brazilian and some African buyers work at 18–20%. Quoting "SSP" without a grade and a test method is how shipments end up in dispute.
Does SSP contain sulphur?
Yes — roughly 11–12% sulphur, present as calcium sulfate. That is a real agronomic benefit on sulphur-deficient soils and it is the main reason buyers choose SSP over TSP despite the lower phosphate concentration.
Can SSP be used in a blend?
Granulated SSP can, provided the particle size is matched to the other components. Powdered SSP cannot: it segregates in a mechanical blend and the analysis of the bag no longer matches the analysis on the label.
Compared with
Request a quotation for SSP
Tell us the quantity, the discharge port and the trade term, and the quotation comes back on that basis with the grade and packaging stated.
Comparing two offers on the same cargo?
Send both specifications and we will tell you where they genuinely differ — basis of analysis, granule size, packaging, loaded quantity — and where the difference is only presentation.