The invention relates to a process for making a finely dispersed, sparingly soluble salt of an oxyacid of phosphorus, having a maximum particle size of 20 .mu.m, by reacting a compound of a divalent metal with the oxyacid of phosphorus or an alkali metal or ammonium salt thereof. More particularly, finely dispersed salt consisting to an extent of at least 90% of particles with a size between 0.05 and 7 .mu.m is made. To this end, an at least 5% by weight aqueous solution or suspension of a compound of a divalent metal selected from the group Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Sn, Co and Ni is reacted, while maintaining a pH range of between 3 and 9 and while stirring, with an at least 2 mol % solution of at least one trivalent metal selected from the group Al, Fe and Cr in the oxyacid of phosphorus and, optionally, with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or ammonium salt of the oxyacid of phosphorus, and the precipitated salt is separated off and dried.