Canadian Minerals Yearbook (CMY) - 2008
Potash
Printable version PDF (180 kb)
Kevin Stone
The author is with the Minerals and Metals Sector,
Natural Resources Canada.
Telephone: 613-992-5199
E-mail: kevin.stone@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
HIGHLIGHTS
- Canada is the world’s largest potash producer and exporter, accounting for more than one third of the world’s potash production and exports.
- Global potash prices had a remarkable run in 2008. Continuous increases in demand drove potash prices upward to reach a record high of US$1050/t.
- While Canadian producers were forced to scale back production for 2009 by as much as 3-4 Mt, demand is expected to recover, perhaps as early as in the second half of 2009, which will contribute to a strong 2010 season.
INTRODUCTION
Potash is a generic term used to describe a variety of mined minerals and manufactured chemicals that contain potassium. Potash includes potassium chloride (sylvite), potassium magnesium chloride (carnallite), potassium magnesium sulphate (langbeinite), potassium sulphate, and potassium nitrate. The dominant potash product is potassium chloride (KCl) or muriate of potash (MOP), a naturally occurring pink, salty mineral of which Canada is the leading producer and exporter.
Potash used as an agricultural fertilizer accounts for 95% of production worldwide. Potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus are the three basic and important nutrients for plants. Potash supports plant growth and enhances the absorption of other nutrients. There is no substitute for potash. Smaller amounts are used for the manufacture of potassium-bearing chemicals, detergents, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals; as water conditioners; or as an alternative to de-icing salt.
Potash is a limited resource that is found in only a few places in the world. Canada has the world’s largest known potash resource. The Prairie Evaporite Deposit, the largest in the world, lies underneath the southern plains of Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, and extends into northeastern Montana and North Dakota. A 1973 Saskatchewan government report estimated potash reserves and resources in the province to be around 107 billion t, sufficient to mine for several thousand years at the current production level. In addition, potash deposits are found in Alberta, Manitoba, and New Brunswick.
The second largest deposit is in Russia. The brine of the Dead Sea in the Middle East is rich in potassium. Most of the potash is mined by conventional underground or solution mining. A portion of potash is also recovered from brine by solar evaporation.
Canada is the world’s largest potash producer and exporter, accounting for more than one third of the world’s potash production and exports. Canada exports more than 95% of its potash output and has a work force of more than 4000 employees. The industry is a significant contributor to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.
There are eleven potash mining and processing operations in Canada. Nine operations extract potassium ore by conventional underground mining and two by solution mining. Ten of the mining/processing operations are located in Saskatchewan and one is in New Brunswick.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp), based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the world’s largest publicly owned potash producer with six Canadian operations: Allan Division, Cory Division, Lanigan Division, Rocanville Division, New Brunswick Division, and Patience Lake Division (a solution mine). PotashCorp has also invested in other global fertilizer companies; it owns 32% of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) in Chile, 28% of Arab Potash Co. Ltd. (APC) in Jordan, 11% of Israel Chemical Limited in Israel, and 22% of Sinochem Hong Kong Holdings Limited (Sinofert). PotashCorp owns 25% of the reserves at Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, which are mined by Mosaic Potash Esterhazy Limited Partnership under a long-term agreement.
The Mosaic Company (Mosaic), whose head office is located in Plymouth, Minnesota, has four potash operations in Saskatchewan: Mosaic Potash Canada Ltd. for the mine at Belle Plaine (a solution mine), Mosaic Potash Esterhazy Limited Partnership for the two mines at Esterhazy (K1 and K2), and Mosaic Potash Colonsay ULC for the mine at Colonsay.
Agrium Inc. (Agrium), based in Calgary, Alberta, has one mine in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan.
Canpotex Limited (Canpotex), owned by potash producers Agrium, Mosaic, and PotashCorp, is an exclusive offshore marketing and distribution company for handling Canadian potash destined for overseas markets. Canpotex’s potash sales are currently in the range of 8-10 Mt/y. A corporate office in Singapore directs Canpotex’s international marketing activities and ocean transportation function worldwide. Offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo maintain direct contact with Asian buyers. A corporate office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, maintains daily operations, including product supply, inland transportation, terminal services, corporate finance, and administration. Canpotex also offers comprehensive ocean freight services to customers through its in-house Ocean Transportation group and its exclusive chartering and brokerage networks.
Most Canadian potash exports were shipped out of ocean terminals in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Portland, Oregon, in the northwestern United States. PotashCorp’s New Brunswick Division production was shipped from Saint John, New Brunswick.
CANADIAN DEVELOPMENTS
Preliminary figures indicate that Canada’s potash production was 17.4 Mt of KCl (10.6 Mt of K2O equivalent) in 2008. This output was slightly lower than the 17.8 Mt of KCl (10.9 Mt of K2O equivalent) produced in 2007.
PotashCorp reported its output as 8.7 Mt of KCl (including a 25% share from the Esterhazy partnership), a 5% decline compared to 9.2 Mt of KCl in 2007. Production from Mosaic’s Canadian operations remained the same in 2008 at 8 Mt of KCl, including a 25% share to PotashCorp from its Esterhazy partnership. Agrium produced 1.8 Mt of KCl in 2008, a 40 000-t increase over its 2007 production.
Canada’s potash sales were 17 Mt of KCl (10.4 Mt of K2O equivalent) in 2008, a decline of 5.7% compared to 18.1 Mt of KCl (11.1 Mt of K2O equivalent) in 2007. Exports were 16.5 Mt of KCl, of which about 60% was shipped to offshore markets and 40% was shipped to the United States.
Production Capacity and Usage
In 2008, Canada’s production capacity remained at 23.9 Mt of KCl, the world’s largest, accounting for 36% of total world capacity of approximately 65.6 Mt of KCl. The average capacity usage rate was 73%. PotashCorp reported its annual nameplate production capacity was 13.2 Mt of KCl in 2008. The production capacity for Mosaic’s Canadian potash operations was 8.6 Mt of KCl in 2008. Agrium’s production capacity increased to 2.1 Mt of KCl in 2008.
Expansions
Growing potash demand worldwide and record prices boosted interest in potash exploration and development. In Canada, potash production capacity expansions began in April 2005 following a tax incentive measure announced by the Saskatchewan government. Mosaic has added 1.5 Mt of KCl production capacity to its Esterhazy mine, and Agrium increased its production capacity by 0.31 Mt of KCl at the Vanscoy mine. PotashCorp completed the Rocanville, Allan, and Lanigan expansion/debottlenecking projects in July 2008. The company has effectively expanded its product capacity by 2.65 Mt of KCl and it compaction capacity by 2.75 Mt between 2005 and 2008 at a cost of $750 million.
All three producers announced new expansion plans in 2008.
PotashCorp has five projects ongoing: debottlenecking at Patience Lake, a debottlenecking/expansion at Cory, an expansion at Allan, a replacement mine and expanded mill at New Brunswick, and a mine and mill expansion at Rocanville. These projects will add 7.46 Mt of KCl production capacity together with significant compaction capability. The expansions will increase PotashCorp’s production capacity to 18 Mt of KCl by the end of 2012.
The following table shows the details of debottlenecking/expansions by PotashCorp:
| Mine Location | Capacity Increases | Investment | Expected Completion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Capacity |
Compaction (Mill) Capacity |
|||
| (Mt KCl) | (Mt KCl) | ($ millions) | ||
| Patience Lake | 0.36 | – | 110 | 2009 |
| Cory (Phase I) | 1.20 | 0.75 | 890 | Q2 2010 |
| New Brunswick | 1.20 | 1.75 | 1 660 | Q4 2011 |
| Rocanville | 2.70 | 2.70 | 2 800 | Q4 2012 |
| Cory (Phase II) | 1.00 | . . | 220 | Q4 2012 |
| Allan | 1.00 | . . | 350 | Q4 2012 |
| Total | 7.46 | . . | 6 030 | |
Source: PotashCorp.
– Nil; . . Not available.
Mosaic announced its redefined long-term capacity expansion plan in Saskatchewan in April 2008. Mosaic will add production capacity of 5.1 Mt of KCl at an estimated cost of US$3.2 billion under the plan. Upon completion, Mosaic's total annual capacity will approximate 15.5 Mt of KCl.
The following table shows the announced expansions by Mosaic:
| Mine Location |
Mining Capacity To Be Added |
Investment |
Expected Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Mt KCl) | (US$ millions) | ||
| Esterhazy | 0.90 | 700 | 2012 |
| Esterhazy | 0.90 | 1 000 | 2020 |
| Belle Plaine | 0.10 | 20 | 2010 |
| Belle Plaine | 0.40 | 100 | 2012 |
| Belle Plaine | 1.50 | 800 | 2014-17 |
| Colonsay | 0.30 | 30 | 2009 |
| Colonsay | 1.00 | 500 | 2013-16 |
| Total | 5.10 | 3 150 |
Source: Mosaic.
Agrium is also considering a 350 000- to 400 000-t expansion of its KCl capacity at Vanscoy at an estimated cost of US$250 million scheduled for 2011-12. In addition, the company is evaluating a greenfield project in Saskatchewan or Manitoba with a production capacity of 2 Mt/y of KCl at an estimated cost of US$2.5 billion targeted for 2015-17.
Exploration in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has become the centrepoint for potash exploration interest and activities. The Government of Saskatchewan issues Potash Leases (KLs) and Potash Permits (KPs). A KL is for potash production and a KP is for potash exploration. At the end of 2008, 11 KLs and 174 KPs had been issued by the Saskatchewan government. The 11 KLs are held by PotashCorp, Mosaic, and Agrium. The 174 KPs are held by 21 exploration companies, existing potash-producing companies, and investment prospectors.
BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. (BHP) completed its acquisition of Anglo Potash Ltd. on July 10, 2008, and became the sole owner of the previous joint venture. BHP has 32 exploration permits in Saskatchewan covering 1.8 million acres of land that contain potash resources. BHP submitted its Jansen project proposal to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment in November 2008. The Jansen project is located 140 km east of Saskatoon, adjacent to PotashCorp’s Lanigan mine. The project area is covered by four potash exploration permits: KP285, 286, 287, and 290. BHP has proposed an underground mine greenfield project with an annual production capacity of 8 Mt. The company suggests that it could start the ground freezing in 2009-10 and construction could follow in July 2011. The mine will be a long room and pillar. BHP intends to begin production in January 2015 with expected production of 2.5 Mt/y by February 2016. The preliminary design for the Jansen plant includes conventional wet milling, flotation, and dry compaction. The life of the project is expected to exceed 50 years.
Athabasca Potash Inc. (API) was formed in 2006. API acquired 23 permits totaling 1.7 million acres of land in Saskatchewan. The Burr project is located 107 km east of Saskatoon and covers an area of 79 946 acres of land. On September 29, 2008, API announced the confirmation of indicated mineral resources on the Burr project of 241 Mt with ore grading 23.3% K2O, and inferred mineral resources of 183 Mt with ore grading 23.2% K2O. API acquired 5420 acres of surface land for exploration, testing, and site study in August 2008. The company completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report in September 2007 and has engaged SNC-Lavalin to provide engineering services along with other consultants for a pre-feasibility study. The project’s environmental impact study was submitted in early 2008. API (symbol API) is listed and traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
Potash One Inc. (Potash One) has acquired 100% ownership of KP 289, which covers an area of 97 240 acres of land 80 km northwest of Regina. Currently, the company is focused on development of solution mining in the area of its Legacy project. Potash One completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report in February 2007 that estimated the indicated and inferred mineral resources at 397 Mt of K2O. The company is currently preparing an environmental assessment and feasibility study. Potash One also acquired three additional exploration permits contiguous to the Legacy project covering an area of 230 000 acres of land. It has four permits totaling 336 000 acres of land. Potash One (symbol KCL) is listed and traded on the TSX.
Raytec Metals Corporation (Raytec) is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration and development company with an interest in uranium and potash in Saskatchewan. Raytec has acquired five KPs (KP441, KP455, KP466, KP467, and KP468) totaling 145 000 acres of land northwest of Saskatoon. The area is referred to as the Spar property. Raytec filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report on July 7, 2008, that calculated a compliant resource based on two historic holes drilled by Canadian Exploration Ltd. in 1969. The report, which covers only 17% of the Spar property, estimated a net recoverable indicated resource of 12.5 Mt of K2O and an inferred resource of 12.2 Mt. Raytec has engaged the services of Kinetix Inc. to conduct 2D seismic work on the Spar property.
Potash North Resource Corp. has two permits totaling 185 000 acres of land. The permit areas lie 20 km northeast of the Esterhazy mines and 45 km north of the Rocanville mine. Potash North completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report in July 2008 that suggested an exploration plan, including: the design and implementation of a 2D seismic survey, drilling of 3-5 core holes and completion of a preliminary assessment, completion of a 3D seismic survey, drilling additional holes to confirm the extent of potash, providing the preliminary input for shaft design and groundwater control, and completing a preliminary feasibility study to establish project costs and define reserves.
Exploration in Manitoba
Agrium obtained a five-year exploration permit from the Manitoba government to explore for potash in the St. Lazare area in October 2005. The permit covers 117 000 acres of land and allows Agrium to conduct seismic exploration work to determine whether there are sufficient reserves to warrant potash mining. Agrium has the option of converting the exploration permit to a potash mineral lease within five years. The company is considering a $2.5 billion greenfield project with a production capacity of 2 Mt/y of KCl and is targeting completion between 2015 and 2017.
Western Potash Corp. has three potash exploration permits in southwestern Manitoba along the Saskatchewan border. The Russell-Miniota property covers an area of 247 105 acres of land adjacent to two potash deposits that are estimated to contain over 1 billion t of potash. Seismic studies and drilling results in 2008 confirmed the continuation of potash mineralization throughout Western Potash’s property. The company has also applied for approximately 370 000 acres of land in southern Manitoba. In addition, Western Potash has acquired three exploration permits covering an area of 123 548 acres in Saskatchewan. Western Potash completed its Initial Public Offering in May 2008 and its stock (symbol WPX) is listed and traded on the TSX.
The Manitoba government gave the go-ahead for BHP to conduct exploration work on the Russell-
Binscarth potash deposit in February 2007. The deposit is located about 40 km east of the Esterhazy mines, adjacent to the Saskatchewan border. It is owned by Manitoba Potash Corp., which is owned by BHP (51%) and the Province of Manitoba (49%).
Alix Resources Corp. (Alix) and GEO Minerals Ltd. (GEO) signed an agreement with a private company to obtain approximately 14 000 acres of land in June 2008. The agreement included a potash claim of 640 acres along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border and adjoining Potash North, Western Potash, and BHP Manitoba’s Russell-Binscarth deposit. Alix and GEO submitted an exploration application on their Manitoba claim in July 2008. The application proposed a drilling program to test the formerly targeted potash zone. Canadian Exploration Ltd. drilled a hole in 1965 and reported encountering two zones of potash.
Mantra Mining Inc. has a potash exploration permit for 276 480 acres of land in Manitoba. The Elkhorn Potash Permit is located in southwestern Manitoba along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. A large potash resource has been identified by historical drillings grading 21-25% K2O on nearby properties.
Exploration in Alberta
CanAsia Industries Corporation (Canasia), a Vancouver-based exploration company, was granted 21 Alberta metallic and industrial minerals (MAIM) permits consisting of approximately 453 058 acres of land in the Eyehill Creek area in May and June 2008. The Eyehill Creek potash property is along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Historical drilling records indicated the potential for potash mineralization. The company filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report in October 2008. The Eyehill Creek potash property is an early-stage exploration project, and the company indicated that there is insufficient information to formulate an estimate of potash resources for the property at the present time.
Terminals Expansion
In May 2008, Canpotex announced its US$500 million expansion plan. The plan includes the expansion of the Neptune Terminals in Vancouver to 10 Mt/y and a new 10-Mt terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C. The expansion projects almost double Canpotex’s shipping capacity from the current 12 Mt to 20 Mt at West Coast ports. This expansion will ensure sufficient capacity to foster Canadian export growth and to meet the global demand for potash.
PRICES
Global potash prices had a remarkable run in 2008. Continuous increases in demand drove potash prices upward to reach a record high of US$1050/t.
Most exports of Canadian potash to offshore markets are managed by Canpotex. Most of the products are sold on an annual contract basis. The annual contract price settlement with China is typically considered a benchmark price for the sales contracts of the year. In April, Canpotex settled the 2008 contract price with China at US$576/t for standard grade KCl on an f.o.b. basis for shipment in the 2008 calendar year. A small amount of Canadian potash was also sold on spot markets. The spot market prices for standard grade KCl f.o.b. Vancouver ranged from a low of US$280/t to a high of US$965/t during 2008.
The average realized Canadian potash export price was $418/t KCl f.o.b. in 2008 based on the customs recorded product value. The 2008 average realized price showed an increase of $239/t from the previous year’s $179/t KCl on an f.o.b. basis. The realized price differs from the contract settlement price because, among other factors, the shipment value also included carried-over volume and different grades of products.
Canadian potash producers individually sell potash directly to clients in the North American market. The average realized potash sales price to North American market clients was $355/t KCl f.o.b. in 2008, almost double the realized 2007 average price of $170/t KCl.
CONSUMPTION AND TRADE
Potash is a limited resource and is only found in several countries around the world. It is one of the three essential nutrients facilitating plant growth and is needed throughout the world. More than 95% of the world’s potash is consumed as agricultural fertilizer. Global leading potash-consuming countries have large agricultural sectors or agriculture-based economies and typically lack potash resources. China, the United States, Brazil, and India are the leading potash-consuming countries. In recent years, Malaysia and Indonesia have also emerged as signficant potash-consuming countries.
China’s potash consumption has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. China does not have sufficient domestic potash resources and its production can only meet about 25% of its demand. Three quarters of China’s potash demand is provided by imports. In 2008, China’s apparent potash consumption was estimated at 8.7 Mt of KCl, a 31% drop compared to the apparent consumption of 12.7 Mt in 2007. China imported 5.4 Mt of KCl in 2008, a decline of 4.3 Mt from 2007's 9.7 Mt. The collapse of demand in China was the direct result of the global financial crisis and economic downturn.
The apparent consumption for the United States was estimated at 9 Mt of KCl in 2008, a similar level to that in 2007. Imports were estimated at 7.8 Mt of KCl.
Brazil is the world’s third largest consumer of potash and its apparent consumption was 7.4 Mt of KCl in 2008. The main source of Brazilian potash supply was from imports, which totaled 6.7 Mt of KCl in 2008. Domestic supply accounted for 600 000 t of KCl. With biofuel development, Brazil’s potash consumption is expected to increase.
India’s apparent potash consumption increased significantly in 2008; its consumption was estimated at 6.2 Mt of KCl. India relied entirely upon imports to meet its domestic demand.
The drive towards biofuel development continues to boost potash consumption in Malaysia and Indonesia. The growth of palm trees relies heavily on potassium fertilizer. Indonesia’s potash imports were reported at 2 Mt of KCl in 2008 and Malaysia’s were 1.6 Mt.
More than 80% of global potash production is traded internationally. In 2008, the global potash trade volume was 41 Mt. The six leading potash-producing countries (Canada, Russia, Belarus, Germany, Israel, and Jordan) accounted for 97% of global potash trade. On the demand side, the world’s leading potash consumers are also the leading potash importers.
There are 12 countries producing potash globally. Canada is the world’s largest producer, followed by Russia, Belarus, Germany, Israel, China, Jordan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, and Chile. In 2008, total global output was estimated at around 54 Mt of KCl, approximately 3% lower than the previous year’s output of 56 Mt. Potash production declined in 10 of the 12 countries due to the global financial crisis resulting in a collapse in potash demand.
OUTLOOK
The primary driver for potash production is the demand for food. The world’s population reached 6.8 billion on January 1, 2009, and is forecast to reach 7 billion by 2011 and 8.06 billion by 2020. Not only will the global agricultural sector have to meet the need for food for this growing population, but it will also need to meet the demand for changes in dietary components, e.g., the move towards a high-protein diet from a carbohydrate diet. This propels the global agricultural sector to nurture the land to meet the increasing demand for foods that feed the world.
The global financial crisis and economic downturn are a temporary setback for the fertilizer industry. Global demand for potash will recover quicker than most of the other commodities and industries. The simple fact is that billions of mouths need to be fed and it is the potash industry’s business to feed the lands that grow food. Potash is mainly used in growing rice, soybeans, sugar cane, corn, palm, rubber, bananas, oranges, and coffee. It is expected that global demand for potash will recover quickly and demand growth will increase at a rate higher than the historical annual growth rate of 3%. This bullish growth forecast is based on the fact that Asia, particularly China and India, is switching from traditional rice and grain-based diets to high-protein diets. Strong GDP growth in all developing countries is expected to continue once the current economic crisis is past. Increased income levels will further enable developing countries to enjoy improved and more balanced diets, higher protein (meat) intake, and an improved lifestyle. Increased meat consumption will continue to drive up the production of livestock, which consumes significant amounts of crops such as corn.
Demand will be further spurred by the increase in crops for biofuel production, including both ethanol and biodiesel. The drive for cleaner fuels will continue to boost the planting of grain crop, sugar cane, and palm oil seeds. These crops are used to produce ethanol, biodiesel, and other types of biofuels, all of which require the use of potash. The United States, the largest ethanol producer, uses mainly corn as the precursor feed material; Brazil, the second largest biofuel producer, relies on sugar cane while Malaysia and Indonesia produce palm oil seeds as the principal precursor in the production of biodiesel fuels. Predictions of higher price points for oil and fuel products will maintain the momentum for global biofuel programs. The United States’ 2007 energy bill committed the country to use 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2008, 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol by 2015, and 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022. The 2015 and 2022 targets are more than double and five times the 2007 level, respectively. Biofuels are expected to be a necessary part of the energy equation for years to come. Brazil’s farmers are expected to plant more sugar cane during the next few years to meet the anticipated growth in demand for ethanol in both domestic and export markets. High palm oil prices will continue to boost palm oil plantings in Malaysia and Indonesia to provide long-term supply for biodiesel production in Europe.
Consumption in China and India remains critical to forecasting future potash demand. It is forecast that China’s potash demand will likely reach 15 Mt in 2010. Its demand for potash is driven largely by the Chinese government’s policy on increasing agricultural production and achieving higher yields, and on improving farmers’ income and living standards in the country. China could potentially use 25 Mt of potash if it follows agronomists’ recommended nutrient levels. The same applies to India, which could potentially use 10 Mt, and to Brazil, which could use 11 Mt in its agricultural production.
Canada is expected to produce a lower volume of potash in 2009 as the demand in major consuming countries has collapsed. Canadian producers were forced to scale back production, and 2009 output could be 3-4 Mt lower than 2008's output. Natural Resources Canada is positive that demand for potash will recover, perhaps as early as in the second half of 2009, and Canadian production levels will return to 2007 levels by 2010.
RELEVANT CANADIAN POTASH WEB SITES
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.
www.potashcorp.com
The Mosaic Company
www.mosaicco.com
Agrium Inc.
www.agrium.com
Canpotex Limited
www.canpotex.com
Canadian Fertilizer Institute
www.cfi.ca
International Fertilizer Industry Association Ltd.
www.fertilizer.org
International Plant Nutrition Institute
www.ipni.net
Notes: (1) For definitions and valuation of mineral production, shipments and trade, please refer to Chapter 58. (2) Information in this review was current as of March 31, 2009. (3) This and other reviews, including previous editions, are available on the Internet at www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/busi-indu/cmy-amc/com-eng.htm.
Note to Readers
The intent of this document is to provide general information and to elicit discussion. It is not intended as a reference, guide or suggestion to be used in trading, investment, or other commercial activities. The author and Natural Resources Canada make no warranty of any kind with respect to the content and accept no liability, either incidental, consequential, financial or otherwise, arising from the use of this document.
| Item No. | Description | Canada | United States | EU | Japan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFN | GPT | USA | Canada | Conventional Rate (1) | WTO (2) | ||
| 2815.20 | Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash); peroxides of sodium or potassium: potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) | Free | Free | Free | Free | 5.5% | 3.9% |
| 2834.21 | Nitrates: nitrates: nitrates: of potassium | Free | Free | Free | Free | 5.5% | 3.9% |
| 2835.24 | Phosphinates (hypophosphates), phosphonates (phosphites) and phosphates; polyphosphates, whether or not chemically defined: phosphates: of potassium | 3% | Free | Free | Free | 5.5% | 3.9% |
| 2836.40 | Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate: potassium carbonates | Free | Free | Free | Free | 5.5% | 3.9% |
| 2839.90.10 | Silicates; commercial alkali metal silicates: other | Free-3% | Free | Free | Free | 5% | 3.3% |
| 31.04 | Mineral or chemical fertilizers, potassic | ||||||
| 3104.20 | Potassium chloride | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 3104.30 | Potassium sulphate | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 3104.90 | Other | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Sources: Canadian Customs Tariff, effective January 2009, Canada Border Services Agency; Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 2009; Official Journal of the European Union (Tariff Information), September 19, 2008 edition; Customs Tariff Schedules of Japan, 2009.
(1) The customs duties applicable to imported goods originating in countries that are Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or with which the European Community has concluded agreements containing the most-favoured-nation tariff clause shall be the conventional duties shown in column 3 of the Schedule of Duties. (2) WTO rate is shown; lower tariff rates may apply circumstantially.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 (p) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (tonnes) | ($000) | (tonnes) | ($000) | (tonnes) | ($000) | ||
| PRODUCTION, Potassium chloride | |||||||
| Gross weight | 13 669 909 | . . | 17 816 913 | . . | 17 397 590 | . . | |
| K2O equivalent | 8 369 105 | . . | 10 890 795 | . . | 10 641 770 | . . | |
| SHIPMENTS | |||||||
| K2O equivalent | 8 518 418 | 2 240 660 | 11 084 939 | 2 814 563 | 10 454 961 | 8 243 156 | |
| EXPORTS (1,2) | |||||||
| 2815.20 | Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) | 625 | 1 743 | 486 | 1 883 | 677 | 1 688 |
| 2834.21 | Potassium nitrate | . . . | . . . | . . . | . . . | 15 | 8 |
| 2835.24 | Potassium phosphate | 19 | 22 | – | – | . . . | . . . |
| 2836.40 | Potassium carbonates | . . . | 3 | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| 2839.20 | Potassium silicates | 20 | 35 | – | – | – | – |
| 3104.20 | Potassium chlorides | ||||||
| United States | 7 989 360 | 1 408 514 | 10 022 928 | 1 705 926 | 9 490 570 | 3 369 920 | |
| India | 657 153 | 118 478 | 998 841 | 177 442 | 1 508 179 | 688 024 | |
| China | 1 337 873 | 243 837 | 2 347 815 | 414 630 | 1 104 338 | 534 825 | |
| Brazil | 1 175 359 | 211 219 | 1 179 028 | 215 302 | 1 134 214 | 421 297 | |
| Indonesia | 497 498 | 91 039 | 627 369 | 111 109 | 939 954 | 366 075 | |
| Malaysia | 528 131 | 96 139 | 668 019 | 119 004 | 611 195 | 233 855 | |
| Thailand | 157 104 | 28 842 | 201 636 | 35 894 | 261 419 | 93 028 | |
| New Zealand | 138 542 | 25 224 | 120 879 | 21 741 | 182 480 | 79 337 | |
| Vietnam | 186 157 | 34 288 | 210 864 | 37 824 | 201 131 | 73 933 | |
| Mexico | 73 262 | 13 035 | 109 137 | 21 389 | 142 483 | 66 546 | |
| South Korea | 24 813 | 4 464 | 72 858 | 13 033 | 148 323 | 55 203 | |
| Colombia | 136 473 | 24 208 | 123 970 | 25 577 | 85 327 | 46 334 | |
| Philippines | 95 908 | 17 247 | 117 474 | 21 041 | 105 409 | 41 724 | |
| Taiwan | 52 481 | 9 560 | 117 398 | 20 985 | 122 479 | 34 792 | |
| Guatemala | 31 003 | 5 825 | 28 925 | 5 249 | 68 703 | 26 764 | |
| Cuba | 56 951 | 11 811 | 46 358 | 8 411 | 55 699 | 25 369 | |
| Honduras | 39 246 | 7 173 | 42 475 | 8 087 | 39 200 | 20 641 | |
| Dominican Republic | 28 815 | 5 134 | 51 800 | 11 304 | 37 900 | 19 330 | |
| Belgium | 130 904 | 24 008 | 73 831 | 12 936 | 35 902 | 18 299 | |
| Ecuador | 15 399 | 2 779 | – | – | 55 979 | 15 948 | |
| Costa Rica | 30 392 | 5 469 | 30 039 | 5 179 | 36 647 | 15 741 | |
| Japan | 29 976 | 5 393 | 8 516 | 1 543 | 41 675 | 12 159 | |
| Peru | 24 777 | 4 440 | – | – | 33 896 | 10 242 | |
| El Salvador | 5 000 | 906 | 10 670 | 1 810 | 8 000 | 5 342 | |
| Singapore | 10 477 | 1 969 | 39 891 | 7 101 | 15 431 | 5 217 | |
| Argentina | 13 000 | 2 440 | – | – | 16 462 | 4 701 | |
| France | 2 610 | 494 | – | – | 3 000 | 3 121 | |
| Jamaica | 8 285 | 1 354 | 11 815 | 2 408 | 7 600 | 2 791 | |
| Dominica | – | – | – | – | 6 100 | 2 217 | |
| Nicaragua | 5 000 | 896 | 6 804 | 1 154 | 5 450 | 1 936 | |
| Panama | – | – | 5 000 | 868 | 6 600 | 1 875 | |
| Other countries | 124 152 | 22 372 | 17 043 | 3 371 | 5 | 2 | |
| Total | 13 606 101 | 2 428 557 | 17 291 383 | 3 010 318 | 16 511 750 | 6 296 588 | |
| 3104.30 | Potassium sulphate | ||||||
| United States | 9 163 | 4 803 | 13 018 | 6 098 | 20 444 | 12 045 | |
| Brazil | – | – | – | – | 2 558 | 1 619 | |
| Other countries | 645 | 344 | 116 | 55 | 946 | 504 | |
| Total | 9 808 | 5 147 | 13 134 | 6 153 | 23 948 | 14 168 | |
| 3104.90 | Other potassic fertilizer | ||||||
| United States | 576 | 364 | 625 | 123 | 1 017 | 420 | |
| Other countries | 61 | 34 | – | – | 117 | 46 | |
| Total | 637 | 398 | 625 | 123 | 1 134 | 466 | |
| Total exports | 13 617 210 | 2 435 905 | 17 305 628 | 3 018 477 | 16 537 525 | 6 312 920 | |
| IMPORTS (1,2) | |||||||
| 2815.20 | Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) | ||||||
| United States | 17 327 | 9 461 | 19 843 | 9 380 | 21 142 | 15 682 | |
| South Korea | 516 | 506 | 1 060 | 1 051 | 1 210 | 1 840 | |
| Other countries | 722 | 893 | 694 | 767 | 608 | 1 402 | |
| Total | 18 565 | 10 860 | 21 597 | 11 198 | 22 960 | 18 924 | |
| 2834.21 | Potassium nitrate | ||||||
| Israel | 1 538 | 1 153 | 1 851 | 1 159 | 3 351 | 4 988 | |
| Chile | 333 | 308 | 1 201 | 786 | 1 638 | 2 282 | |
| Jordan | – | – | 580 | 310 | 2 149 | 1 882 | |
| Denmark | 524 | 363 | 322 | 207 | 1 145 | 1 140 | |
| Other countries | 551 | 668 | 877 | 801 | 677 | 1 152 | |
| Total | 2 946 | 2 492 | 4 831 | 3 263 | 8 960 | 11 444 | |
| 2835.24 | Potassium phosphates | ||||||
| Israel | 382 | 609 | 436 | 511 | 875 | 2 052 | |
| United States | 593 | 1 067 | 730 | 1 087 | 1 021 | 1 790 | |
| China | 88 | 144 | 224 | 236 | 599 | 1 311 | |
| Other countries | 253 | 505 | 282 | 500 | 626 | 1 484 | |
| Total | 1 316 | 2 325 | 1 672 | 2 334 | 3 121 | 6 637 | |
| 2836.40 | Potassium carbonates | ||||||
| United States | 3 737 | 3 185 | 3 502 | 2 893 | 3 142 | 3 313 | |
| Other countries | 622 | 386 | 550 | 423 | 737 | 613 | |
| Total | 4 359 | 3 571 | 4 052 | 3 316 | 3 879 | 3 926 | |
| 2839.20 | Potassium silicates | 9 400 | 6 454 | – | – | – | – |
| 2839.90.10.00 | Other, of potassium | ||||||
| United States | – | – | 3 249 | 2 548 | 4 379 | 3 424 | |
| Other countries | – | – | 553 | 537 | 6 | 8 | |
| Total | – | – | 3 802 | 3 085 | 4 385 | 3 432 | |
| 2839.90.90.10 | Other precipitated calcium silicates | – | – | 4 899 | 980 | 4 027 | 805 |
| 2839.90.90.20 | Other, magnesium silicates | ||||||
| United States | – | – | 2 004 | 1 300 | 987 | 1 679 | |
| Other countries | – | – | 878 | 1 022 | 14 | 15 | |
| Total | – | – | 2 882 | 2 322 | 1 001 | 1 694 | |
| 2839.90.90.30 | Other, zirconium silicate | – | – | 40 | 27 | 273 | 205 |
| 2839.90.90.90 | Other, other | ||||||
| United States | – | – | 6 619 | 3 498 | 4 274 | 2 756 | |
| Other countries | – | – | 5 053 | 3 718 | 1 416 | 1 666 | |
| Total | – | – | 11 672 | 7 216 | 5 690 | 4 422 | |
| 3104.20 | Potassium chloride | ||||||
| United States | 1 825 | 2 040 | 2 063 | 1 819 | 2 104 | 3 509 | |
| Other countries | 52 | 73 | 29 | 73 | 219 | 225 | |
| Total | 1 877 | 2 113 | 2 092 | 1 892 | 2 323 | 3 734 | |
| 3104.30 | Potassium sulphate | ||||||
| United States | 13 785 | 3 356 | 11 605 | 3 313 | 5 625 | 2 108 | |
| Belgium | 63 | 34 | 306 | 151 | 881 | 1 005 | |
| Chile | 38 | 18 | 69 | 34 | 263 | 233 | |
| Israel | – | – | 74 | 89 | 110 | 134 | |
| Other countries | 71 | 104 | 93 | 84 | 117 | 193 | |
| Total | 13 957 | 3 512 | 12 147 | 3 671 | 6 996 | 3 673 | |
| 3104.90.00.10 | Magnesium-potassium sulphate | ||||||
| United States | 58 881 | 6 256 | 71 131 | 7 016 | 68 651 | 6 475 | |
| Other countries | 129 | 13 | . . . | . . . | 246 | 18 | |
| Total | 59 010 | 6 269 | 71 131 | 7 016 | 68 897 | 6 493 | |
| 3104.90.00.90 | Other potassic fertilizer | ||||||
| United States | 1 479 | 1 294 | 1 209 | 1 435 | 1 865 | 2 523 | |
| Israel | 741 | 508 | 1 486 | 945 | 1 595 | 1 927 | |
| Other countries | 2 832 | 1 568 | 4 736 | 2 489 | 3 443 | 2 697 | |
| Total | 5 052 | 3 370 | 7 431 | 4 869 | 6 903 | 7 147 | |
| Total imports | 116 482 | 40 966 | 148 248 | 51 189 | 139 415 | 72 536 | |
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada.
– Nil; . . Not available; . . . Amount too small to be expressed; (p) Preliminary.
(1) Countries are ranked in descending order of value for 2008. (2) Fertilizer potash.
Notes: HS Code change from 2839.20 to 2839.90.10 as of 2007. Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 (p) | 2008 (e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (000 tonnes) | ||||||||
| POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (KCl) (1) | ||||||||
| Canada | 13 357 | 13 911 | 14 924 | 16 557 | 17 370 | 13 705 | 17 840 | 17 396 |
| United States | 1 348 | 1 438 | 1 166 | 1 499 | 1 363 | 1 215 | 1 277 | 1 200 |
| Belarus | 6 145 | 6 318 | 7 048 | 7 687 | 8 213 | 7 676 | 8 286 | 8 200 |
| Russia | 7 096 | 7 386 | 7 756 | 9 332 | 10 443 | 9 540 | 10 622 | 9 900 |
| France | 407 | 213 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Germany | 5 918 | 5 752 | 5 942 | 6 044 | 6 108 | 6 026 | 6 032 | 5 600 |
| Spain | 785 | 678 | 844 | 922 | 824 | 728 | 790 | 700 |
| United Kingdom | 887 | 900 | 1 036 | 899 | 732 | 716 | 712 | 700 |
| Israel | 2 957 | 3 197 | 3 264 | 3 563 | 3 707 | 3 539 | 3 577 | 3 500 |
| Jordan | 1 963 | 1 956 | 1 960 | 1 929 | 1 829 | 1 699 | 1 797 | 2 005 |
| Brazil | 575 | 606 | 636 | 617 | 620 | 707 | 649 | 607 |
| Chile | 650 | 682 | 733 | 717 | 718 | 623 | 690 | 650 |
| China | 658 | 717 | 1 033 | 1 880 | 2 417 | 2 620 | 3 130 | 3 300 |
| Total | 42 746 | 43 754 | 46 342 | 51 646 | 54 344 | 48 794 | 55 402 | 53 984 |
| POTASSIUM OXIDE (K2O) (1) | ||||||||
| Canada | 8 181 | 8 515 | 9 104 | 10 100 | 10 596 | 8 360 | 10 883 | 10 438 |
| United States | 809 | 863 | 711 | 914 | 832 | 741 | 779 | 720 |
| Belarus | 3 687 | 3 791 | 4 229 | 4 612 | 4 928 | 4 605 | 4 972 | 4 920 |
| Russia | 4 258 | 4 432 | 4 653 | 5 599 | 6 266 | 5 724 | 6 373 | 5 940 |
| France | 244 | 128 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Germany | 3 551 | 3 451 | 3 565 | 3 626 | 3 665 | 3 616 | 3 619 | 3 360 |
| Spain | 471 | 407 | 506 | 553 | 494 | 437 | 474 | 420 |
| United Kingdom | 532 | 540 | 621 | 540 | 439 | 430 | 427 | 420 |
| Israel | 1 774 | 1 918 | 1 958 | 2 138 | 2 224 | 2 123 | 2 146 | 2 100 |
| Jordan | 1 177 | 1 174 | 1 176 | 1 157 | 1 098 | 1 020 | 1 078 | 1 200 |
| Brazil | 345 | 364 | 382 | 370 | 372 | 424 | 389 | 364 |
| Chile | 390 | 409 | 440 | 430 | 431 | 374 | 414 | 390 |
| China | 395 | 430 | 620 | 1 128 | 1 450 | 1 572 | 1 878 | 1 980 |
| Total | 25 814 | 26 422 | 27 965 | 31 167 | 32 794 | 29 426 | 33 432 | 32 390 |
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; International Fertilizer Industry Association.
– Nil; (e) Estimated; (p) Preliminary.
(1) Potassium chloride (KCl) is used in the measurement of production tonnage, while potassium oxide (K2O) is used to measure fertilizer content in KCl.
Notes: Statistics show potassium chloride (KCl) only, excluding other forms of potash. One tonne of KCl contains 60-62% K2O.
Notes: Statistics show the production of KCl only, excluding other forms of potash. One tonne of KCl contains 60-62% K2O.
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 (p) | 2008 (e) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (000 tonnes KCl) | ||||||||
| CANADA | ||||||||
| Capacity | 21 400 | 21 400 | 21 400 | 21 400 | 22 106 | 22 106 | 23 900 | 23 900 |
| Production | 13 357 | 13 911 | 14 851 | 16 557 | 17 370 | 13 705 | 17 840 | 17 396 |
| Capacity use (%) | 62 | 65 | 69 | 77 | 79 | 62 | 75 | 73 |
| Sales | 13 595 | 14 182 | 15 514 | 17 196 | 16 193 | 14 079 | 18 079 | 17 425 |
| Domestic | 710 | 743 | 762 | 751 | 735 | 576 | 703 | 900 |
| United States | 7 451 | 7 368 | 7 451 | 8 067 | 6 846 | 6 169 | 7 378 | 6 500 |
| Offshore | 5 434 | 6 071 | 7 302 | 8 378 | 8 612 | 7 334 | 9 998 | 10 000 |
| WORLD | ||||||||
| Capacity | 62 405 | 62 220 | 61 448 | 62 208 | 64 300 | 65 312 | 65 425 | 67 500 |
| Production | 43 099 | 44 144 | 46 420 | 51 836 | 54 344 | 48 795 | 55 400 | 54 000 |
| Capacity use (%) | 69 | 71 | 76 | 83 | 85 | 75 | 85 | 80 |
| Sales | 41 960 | 43 545 | 47 175 | 51 834 | 52 186 | 48 568 | 56 099 | 53 000 |
| Exports | 33 683 | 35 196 | 38 727 | 42 273 | 41 920 | 38 450 | 45 029 | 41 000 |
| Consumption | 38 370 | 41 150 | 41 666 | 42 580 | 45 130 | (e) 45 500 | (e) 48 500 | (e) 45 000 |
| CANADA/WORLD | ||||||||
| Production (%) | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 32 | 32 |
| Capacity (%) | 34 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 35 |
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; International Fertilizer Industry Association. (e) Estimated; (p) Preliminary.
Note: World production capacity includes potassium chloride (KCl) only.