The invention provides a process for producing phosphate from an organic material, the method including the steps of(a) fermenting an organic material in a medium in the presence of at least one microorganism, wherein the fermenting is under conditions, and for a sufficient period of time, to produce a fermentation product;(b) treating the solids of the fermentation product with acid, in a medium, e.g., aqueous medium, to solubilize phosphates from the fermentation product; wherein the organic material, and thus the solids of the fermentation product, includes bone suitable for extraction of phosphates.