DCP 18% Feed Grade (Dicalcium Phosphate)
Typical inclusion: 5–25 kg per tonne of finished feed. Brand-neutral specification, document checklist and commercial terms — then send the same RFQ to competing producers and traders.
Short answer · reviewed August 2026
What is DCP 18% Feed Grade (Dicalcium Phosphate)?
DCP 18% feed grade is dicalcium phosphate with a minimum total phosphorus content of 18% and a calcium content around 21–24%, the most widely traded inorganic phosphorus source in compound feed. It is typically dosed at 5–25 kg per tonne of finished feed. A comparable offer must state total phosphorus, calcium, hydrate form (dihydrate vs anhydrous, which differ in availability), fluorine, moisture and granulometry.
DCP 18% — commercial specification
| Metric | Value | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total phosphorus (P) | ≥ 18.0 | % | CoA — the commercial basis of the trade |
| Calcium (Ca) | 21.0–24.0 | % | CoA |
| Hydrate form | Dihydrate (CaHPO₄·2H₂O) unless stated otherwise | — | CoA — affects availability |
| Fluorine (F) | ≤ 0.18 (≤ 1:100 of P) | % | Test report — regulated limit |
| Moisture | ≤ 4.0 | % | CoA |
| Granulometry | 0.3–2.0 mm, ≤ 8% fines | mm | Sieve analysis on the lot |
| Heavy metals (as Pb / Cd / As) | ≤ 10 / ≤ 2 / ≤ 10 | mg/kg | Test report |
Sources · DCP buyer hub · Feed additives procurement guide
Ranges are indicative buyer-side benchmarks compiled by FeedMatch Group from supplier offers and the sources above; verify against a current quotation before budgeting.
Documents a compliant offer must carry
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA) per batchThe only document that ties the delivered lot to the specification you contracted.
- GMP+ B2, FAMI-QS or equivalent feed-safety certificationRequired by most EU and Gulf buyers and by many mills' own HACCP plans.
- Certificate of OriginDrives duty treatment and, in several markets, import permit eligibility.
- Heavy-metal and dioxin/PCB statement or test reportFeed-safety limits are enforced at import; a missing report stops the container.
- Packing list with lot numbers and production dateLets you trace a claim to a specific lot and check remaining shelf life on arrival.
Packaging, Incoterms and container maths
- Packaging
- 25 kg or 50 kg PP bag · 1,000–1,250 kg big bag · Bulk on short lanes and vessel parcels
- Common Incoterms
- FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP · FCA ex-plant
- Minimum order
- One full container bagged; bulk parcels usually from 500 t
- Container loading
- 20 ft ≈ 25–27 t bagged (weight-limited)
- Lead time
- 2–6 weeks ex-plant plus sailing; longer during phosphate fertiliser season peaks
- Shelf life and storage
- 24 months, dry covered storage
DCP competes with fertiliser demand for the same rock and acid, so lead times stretch in the northern-hemisphere fertiliser season. Lock volume before that window if your mill cannot switch to MCP.
Who produces it
FeedMatch Group is independent and does not represent any producer. The landscape below is descriptive, not a ranking.
- Integrated phosphate producersProducers with captive rock in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia; scale drives the lowest cost per unit of P.
- Regional acidulation plantsServe nearby markets with shorter lead times and smaller parcels at higher unit cost.
- TradersCover mills buying under container-load volumes and hold local bagged stock.
Frequently asked
Dihydrate or anhydrous DCP — does it matter?
How do I compare DCP and MCP offers?
What documents should a DCP offer carry?
Get comparable offers for DCP 18%
We send one structured RFQ — this specification, the document list and your Incoterm — to qualified producers and traders, then help you compare on landed cost.