Potash
Overview
The potash market has been disrupted from its traditional trade flows and typically slow-moving price cycles, affected by new entrants, new mines, military conflicts and political tensions in countries that either produce or consume some of the largest quantities of potash in the world. The need for accurate insight and data is more acute than ever.
Our extensive potash coverage includes MOP, SOP and NOP. Argus has many decades of experience covering the potash market and we incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise to provide potash price assessments, analysis and data that provides the full narrative.
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Latest potash news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global potash industry.
Egypt’s NCIC awards fertilizers sales tender
Egypt’s NCIC awards fertilizers sales tender
London, 24 February (Argus) — Egyptian producer NCIC has reported selling various fertilizers for loading in March in its latest tender , which closed on 19 February. NCIC reports the following awards in the tender: 20,000t of DAP at $750/t fob — it reported selling 60,000t of DAP at $725-745/t fob in its previous tender, probably all for shipment to Europe 25,000t of TSP at $560/t fob — it sold 18,000t at $547-550/t fob in its previous tender 20,000t of granular urea at $492/t fob — it sold 12,000t at $475/t fob in its previous tender 20,000t of CAN26 at $305/t fob — it sold 5,000t at $315-325/t fob in its previous tender, having offered 34,000t 500t of water-soluble SOP at $575/t fob — it sold 1,000t at $560-580/t fob in its previous tender, having offered 2,000t. The quantities of DAP, TSP, urea and CAN26 awarded in this latest tender are the full quantities offered. NCIC had offered 1,000t of SOP in 25kg bags in this tender. No buy-side confirmations have yet emerged and the destinations of the products awarded are not yet known. NCIC's previous tender had offered fertilizers for loading in February and closed on 25 January. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mitsubishi to invest in UK polyhalite mine
Mitsubishi to invest in UK polyhalite mine
London, 23 February (Argus) — Japanese trading and investment company Mitsubishi has entered into an agreement with UK-South African mining company Anglo American to invest in Anglo's Woodsmith polyhalite project in north Yorkshire, UK. Mitsubishi will inject an undisclosed initial investment into Woodsmith and may have an opportunity to acquire an equity stake in the project, dependent on a final investment decision scheduled for 2028. Until then, Anglo will continue to invest around $300mn annually in the project. The agreement will see the two companies collaborate on a feasibility study for the project and conduct pilot sales, while also exploring opportunities to grow demand for polyhalite. They will also utilise Mitsubishi's networks in the food and agriculture sector to conduct agronomic trials through its group companies. Polyhalite is a naturally occurring mineral, containing one macronutrient — potassium — and three secondary nutrients — sulphur, magnesium and calcium — along with trace amounts of micronutrients. Israeli fertilizer firm ICL has produced polyhalite from the same deposit that Anglo American plans to mine since 2011, selling it under the brand name Polysulphate. Anglo American is marketing its polyhalite under the brand name POLY4. The Woodsmith mine is under construction and is designed to supply up to 13mn t/yr of polyhalite. Anglo American acquired the Woodsmith project from UK-based Sirius Minerals in early 2020. Under previous guidance from former owner Sirius, the mine was expected to begin producing polyhalite by the end of 2021. First production is now expected in 2032, according to a Mitsubishi project overview. By Julia Campbell and Aidan Hall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Egypt’s NCIC issues fertilizer sales tender: Correction
Egypt’s NCIC issues fertilizer sales tender: Correction
Corrects the CAN grade to CAN26 London, 16 February (Argus) — Egyptian producer NCIC has issued a tender to sell various fertilizers for March loading. The tender closes on 19 February. NCIC is offering the following fertilizers: 20,000t of DAP – it sold 60,000t at $725-745/t fob in its previous tender , probably all for shipment to Europe 25,000t of TSP – it sold 18,000t at $547-550/t fob in its previous tender 20,000t of granular urea – it sold 12,000t at $475/t fob in its previous tender. Since then, spot prices for shipment to Europe have risen to $490-500/t fob 20,000t of CAN26 – it sold 5,000t at $315-325/t fob in its previous tender, having offered 34,000t 1,000t of water-soluble SOP in 25kg bags – it sold 1,000t at $560-580/t fob in its previous tender, having offered 2,000t NCIC's previous tender had offered fertilizers for loading in February and closed on 25 January. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Potash demand to remain firm in 2026: Fertistream
Potash demand to remain firm in 2026: Fertistream
London, 22 January (Argus) — Global potash demand is set to remain firm this year, fertilizer trading firm Fertistream's head of global market intelligence, Milton Sato, told Argus in an interview ahead of the Argus Fertilizer Latino Americano conference in Miami next week. He also reiterated Fertistream's ambitions to grow its water-soluble fertilizer business in Latin America. Edited highlights follow: What were the key drivers for the potash market in 2025? In 2025, MOP seaborne trade expanded by 2mn t to 53mn t, driven by better affordability compared with other nutrients in terms of grains-to-fertilizer ratio across the regions, and buoyant southeast Asian palm oil production. For instance, Indonesia and Malaysia alone increased imports by 1.1mn t to 4.5mn t. The rapid pace of imports eventually put some downward pressure on standard MOP (sMOP) prices in the fourth quarter. A supporting factor was the announcement of production curtailments by Belaruskali and rumours of export limits in Russia. Brazil saw a drop in MOP imports in the fourth quarter. How do you see this trend in 2026? Based on the current landscape, Brazilian MOP demand should remain stable or even slightly higher than the 13.5mn t imported in 2025. Due to low fourth-quarter imports and strong application demand, MOP stocks were tracking on the low side entering 2026. At the same time, Brazil has yet to purchase more than 80pc of the fertilizers needed for the next soy crop. Finally, the barter ratio for MOP remains relatively better than for other nutrients. Fertistream recently introduced water-soluble fertilizers to its portfolio. Is there a place for them in Brazil or the wider Latin American market? Fertistream has already begun shipping water-soluble fertilizers to the Latin American market. We have a strong presence in the region and are now expanding our specialty offerings. The global market share of water-soluble fertilizers is increasing, and the region has strong potential, driven by changing weather patterns and growing demand for fertilizers with high purity, efficiency and precise application. We believe that our participation in this market is essential to enhancing local farmers' competitiveness by providing alternative sourcing options. We consider the Latin American market strategic for our business and have a strong ambition to further increase our footprint in the region by expanding geographies, product offerings and shipped volumes. What is the impact of the US dropping sanctions on Belarusian potash? Following up on the 13 December announcement of the US lifting sanctions on Belarusian MOP, two days later, the US Treasury rectified this decision by issuing a general licence for this trade. Assuming [Belarusian marketer] BPC can reinstate payment channels in the US, expect Belarusian MOP to resume flowing in the next 3-4 months. This is supportive for MOP prices given that BPC will now have the option to serve a key importer. Conversely, this reduces eventual downward pressure on prices in other markets. EU sanctions on Belarus remain in place, and MOP exports through the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda remain blocked. Across Africa, what are the opportunities for higher-value compounds and unique formulations over the classic commodity products? Markets for higher-value compounds and water–soluble products are developing in several countries. Water-soluble fertilizers are developing in Morocco and South Africa, for instance. Kenya has specific NPK grades for its key crop — tea. These cases are limited to a few countries and niches where fertilizer demand is mature. In many African countries, the application of "classic" commodity products remains a challenge. Consumption is well below the world average and is struggling to develop due to a lack of financing, high logistics costs, and the absence of both subsidy systems and allocation mechanisms. Despite the efforts of the public and private sectors, consumption remains low. The African continent has the greatest potential for fertilizer growth, for classic and specialty products, but that growth is conditional on economic and developmental realities. In the global potash market, which markets are you most optimistic about for growth in the next 3-6 months? We see a strong pull across the board, including the US, Brazil, China, India and southeast Asia, given the relatively better MOP affordability compared with other nutrients. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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