Potash facts

Potash is the common name given to a group of minerals and chemicals that contain potassium (chemical symbol K), which is a basic nutrient for plants and an important ingredient in fertilizer. Most potash is produced as potassium chloride (KCl). However, we often measure and refer to it in terms of potassium oxide (K2O) equivalence for consistency because deposits can have different percentages of potassium.

Learn more about potash

Uses

Potash is used primarily in fertilizers (approximately 95%) to support plant growth, increase crop yield and disease resistance, and enhance water preservation. Small quantities are used in manufacturing potassium-bearing chemicals such as:

• detergents
• ceramics
• pharmaceuticals
• water conditioners
• alternatives to de-icing salt

Potassium is an essential element of the human diet, required for the growth and the maintenance of tissues, muscles and organs, as well as the electrical activity of the heart.

Production

Canada produced an estimated 22.5 million tonnes of potash in 2021, an increase of only 129,000 tonnes from 2020.

Consult a map of producing Canadian mines

Canadian production of potash (potassium chloride), 2012–2021 (p)

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This bar chart shows Canada’s annual mine production of potash from 2012 to 2021. Production was 15.1 million tonnes in 2012 before steadily increasing to 18.8 million tonnes in 2015. It then decreased slightly to 17.9 million tonnes in 2016 before increasing to 22.7 million tonnes in 2018. Production in 2019 decreased to 20.9 million tonnes but rebounded to 22.4 million tonnes in 2020 and increased slightly in 2021 at 22.5 million tonnes.

International context

Find out more about potash production on an international scale.

Global potash production was estimated at almost 71.9 million tonnes in 2021. Canada is the world’s largest potash producer, accounting for 31% of the world’s total in 2021.

Three countries (Canada, Russia and Belarus) accounted for approximately 70% of the world’s potash production in 2021.

World production of potash (potassium chloride), 2012–2021 (p)

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This bar chart shows the world’s production of potash from 2012 to 2021. Production was 50.5 million tonnes in 2012 and increased steadily to 71.9 million tonnes in 2021.

In 2021, the global reserves of potash were estimated at more than 3.5 billion tonnes (potassium oxide equivalent). Canada had the largest reserves with 1.1 billion tonnes. The following table shows the leading potash reserves by country.

Trade

Canada is the world’s largest exporter of potash. In 2021, Canada exported 21.6 million tonnes of potash, accounting for 38% of the world’s total exports.

Canadian exports of potash (potassium chloride), 2012–2021 (p)

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This bar chart shows Canadian potash exports from 2012 to 2021. Exports were 14.0 million tonnes in 2012 and reached a minor peak of 17.9 million tonnes in 2015. A slight decrease to 16.0 million tonnes in 2016 was followed by an increase to a 10-year peak of 21.9 million tonnes in 2018. Exports then decreased to 19.5 million tonnes in 2019 before increasing to 21.3 million tonnes in 2020. Exports remain about the same in 2021 at 21.6 million tonnes.

Three countries (Canada, Belarus and Russia) accounted for 80% of the potash traded internationally in 2021.

World exports of potash (potassium chloride), 2012–2021 (p)

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This bar chart shows world potash exports from 2012 to 2021. Exports were at 36.9 million tonnes in 2012. Exports steadily increased to 49.6 million tonnes in 2014, but then decreased again to 46.4 million tonnes in 2015. Exports increased to a 10-year peak of 53.1 million tonnes in 2018 before decreasing to 49.9 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, world potash exports were 55.9 million tonnes and increased slightly in 2021 to 56.9 million tonnes.

Prices

Potash prices were in decline from 2012 until the first half of 2017. In the second half of 2017, prices began to increase, eventually reaching US$266/tonne in mid-2019 before decreasing steadily to about US$203/tonne by the end of 2020. In 2021, global potash prices increased in response to record global demand of 70 Mt and the supply shortage caused by logistical troubles, new project delays, and sanctions imposed on Belarus by the United States and European countries.

Potassium chloride prices, 2012–2021

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This line chart shows monthly potassium chloride prices in US dollars per tonne, free on board (f.o.b.) at Vancouver from 2012 to 2021. Prices averaged US$482 in 2012, and then gradually declined to a low of $207 in late 2016. Prices increased thereafter and were at $266 at the end of 2019. The price decreased in 2020 to $203 and surged in 2021, reaching $221 at the end of the year.