  We investigate the $\phi$ meson nuclear transparency using some recent
theoretical developments on the $\phi$ in medium self-energy. The inclusion of
direct resonant $\phi N$-scattering and the kaon decay mechanisms leads to a
$\phi$ width much larger than in most previous theoretical approaches. The
model has been confronted with photoproduction data from CLAS and LEPS and the
recent proton induced $\phi$ production from COSY finding an overall good
agreement. The results support the need of a quite large direct $\phi
N$-scattering contribution to the self-energy.
