mineral · input
Mined potassium chloride, one of three macronutrients (NPK) for crops. Not part of ammonia synthesis but required for complete NPK fertilizer blends. Canada (Canpotex, ~33% global exports), Belarus (Belaruskali, ~20% pre-sanctions), and Russia (Uralkali, ~15%) control ~60–70% of global potash trade. Belaruskali sanctioned 2022; exports halved.
5
Source countries
6
Companies
1
Goods affected
0
Claims on record
What depends on it
1 essential American goods rely on potash (muriate of potash, mop — kcl) somewhere upstream in their supply chain.
Who makes it
6 companies produce potash (muriate of potash, mop — kcl).
World's largest agricultural nutrient company by revenue; formed from Potash Corp and Agrium merger (2018). Largest potash producer globally (20% market share); 55–60% of North American potash mining. Also major nitrogen fertilizer producer. 27.5 Mt/year combined N+P+K capacity.
Russia's largest potash producer; ~17% of global supply. Five mines and seven ore-treatment mills in Berezniki and Solikamsk (Perm Krai). NOT under Western sanctions (unlike Belaruskali) — continues to export to China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and the EU despite Russia-Ukraine war. Controlled by oligarch Dmitry Mazepin (under personal sanctions). Berezniki mines produce ~10% of world's potash but the city is being swallowed by sinkholes from 2006 mine flooding — a structural geological risk. Russian potash exports rose 30%+ in 2024 reaching ~10M MT.
World's largest US potash and phosphate producer. Esterhazy K1 and K2 mines (Saskatchewan) began experiencing managed brine inflows in 1985; managed for decades until Mosaic made the decisive choice to build the K3 underground mine (announced 2009, commissioned 2022) to replace K1/K2. K1/K2 closed 2021. K3 at Esterhazy is now the world's largest operating potash mine. Also operates Colonsay SK mine (conventional underground). The Esterhazy flooding saga represents the most consequential water-management incident in Saskatchewan potash history, requiring a $4B+ replacement mine investment.
State-owned Belarusian potash company; historically ~18-20% of global MOP supply. Soligorsk mines have the world's highest-grade potash ore. Subject to US and EU sanctions since 2021 following disputed election and Lukashenko repression. Lost access to Klaipėda (Lithuania) port in February 2022 — the only viable Baltic export route — causing production to fall 60% in 2022 (to 3M MT). Has rerouted exports through Russian ports (Ust-Luga, Murmansk). Recovering to ~7M MT by 2024. Belarus and Russia jointly produce ~40% of global potash exports.
Israeli specialty mineral company; ~25% of global food phosphate market per input description; 15-18% of total global STPP market. ICL Food Specialties (subsidiary) is a leading food phosphate supplier: STPP, SHMP, SAPP, and other sodium phosphates for water binding, texture, and moisture retention in processed meat. Also: world's largest bromine producer (Dead Sea), potash producer (Dead Sea Works), and specialty fertilizer company. ICL has a unique triple position in critical minerals: food phosphates, potash fertilizers, and bromine for flame retardants/pharmaceuticals. Lawrence, KS plant serves the North American processed meat industry.
German potash and salt producer; operates mines in Germany (Werra, Weser, Harz) and Canada (Bethune mine, Saskatchewan); ~7% of global potash; only Western European potash producer; operates under EU environmental constraints; Bethune mine opened 2017 as first new greenfield potash mine in Canada in decades
