Quarterly Commodities Outlook is available for free now.  Download your report  →

StoneX logo

Farmer Fertilizer Focus - Potash

By: Josh Linville, Vice President- Fertilizer

Banner Fertilizer
POTASH
 
Josh Linville
Director - Fertilizer
What everyone wants to know first, what do we think will happen going forward
If anyone had "incredibly slow spring progress due to either too much rain or too little rain" on their prediction card, please step forward for your prize!!!
The potash market for North America has been dealt 2 blows that would normally be devastating:
  • Spring weather made it very difficult to impossible for farmers to apply across a lot of acres - hurts demand
  • High price of potash seems to have turned off a lot of farmers - hurts demand

"Normally be devastating....".  Unfortunately, the global potash complex is still dealing with supply issues.  Russia and Belarus both continue to have issues on exporting potash and both of them combine for approximately 14M tons exported every year and it doesn't look like things are improving in the short term.

Today, it seems like the potash market is locked in a slight decline pattern and should continue this for a while into the summer.  The market will be aware of losing exports from Russia and Belarus.  The market is aware of how many tons that is. 

On the flip side, they have to respect the farmers demand at these levels.  Producers need to move/sell product and if they do not show a price reset, demand will drag its feet until the last minute before fall.

My expectation is that producers will come out with a summer fill value that is lower than today in an effort to bring demand forward and then will follow it with stair steps higher.  That means sell a layer, step the price up.  Sell another layer, step the price up.

There is likely to be an opportunity to lock in a "decent" value, but stay on your toes.  I'm not sure when it will be and how big an opportunity it will be.  

Should you lock in fall '22/spring '23 potash needs today?
Long answer short - NOT YET
The market has been in a slight decline in the last 30 days (NOLA only down $30 but we will take what we can get).  Part is due to the rough spring and part due to fears of demand locking up and refusing to step forward this summer.
Producers need to put a sales book on to know where they are going to ship their product.  If the market largely shuts down from a demand POV, their position grows by the day.
I would expect to see an opportunity where producers drop their price for a short term, limited tonnage offering.  Once they find a value the market will buy, they will start moving the price higher as we move toward the fall.
The window/opportunity, if this scenario plays out, is going to be relatively small.  Keep your head on a swivel and be ready to strike.  Today does not look to be that day but things can change in a hurry.   
What has happened in the last 30 days?
Russia/Belarus continues to lose friends around the world
Another potash report...another deja vu on this conflict continuing.
Unfortunately, it continues to appear that this invasion is not going away which means that most of the world is not willing to do business with Russia or Belarus.  One of the things that we preach is that "something that happens halfway around the world ABSOLUTELY means something here at home".  From a potash perspective, the below pie chart is why.  Take a look at how dominant both countries are in the world potash export game.  Russia and Belarus both exports just over 14M tons last year.  14 MILLION.  Everyone, that is 40% of the global potash export market.  This keeps the market very tightly supplied and keeps other global potash producers in the drivers seat when it comes to negotiations.
image 36088
Some help is on the way
All is not bad news, fortunately.
As of this writing, it was reported that potash manufacturer Mosaic had completed some upgrades to their plant in Saskatchewan, Canada.
For those unaware, Mosaic lost a pair of mines at this complex.  K1 and K2 mines were expected to be in operation for 9 months longer than they ended up being.  Both mines saw water flows increase to a rate that their pumps could not keep up with.  Both mines were abandoned and resulted in the loss of approximately 1M tons.  This was a shock to the world and helped to continue prices moving higher globally.
In response, Mosaic took measures to increase the production rate at their K3 mine.  Those upgrades are now complete and that mine is producing approximately 5.5M tons per year. 
Another mine in Colonsay is reported to be operating and that facility is producing around 1.3M tons per year.  
Unfortunately, both of these good points are still outweighed by the loss of Belarus and continued fear of losing all Russia exports.  But with the market seeing very little other than bad news, we will take good news where we can get it!
Where are current values in relation to the past
For potash, we use NOLA/New Orleans Louisiana as our base point as it is the easiest spot to track.
  • Vs 30 days ago - -4% or approximately $31 lower
  • Vs 90 days ago - +22% or approximately $144 higher
  • Vs 6 months ago - +18% or approximately $120 higher
  • Vs 1 year ago - +154% or approximately $485 higher
Bull/Bear Factors
Because no market is ever guaranteed to go higher/lower, we try to consider the factors that can sway values so that we are able to act when they occur rather than react.
Bullish Factors
  • We continue to deal with the loss of Belarus/Russia exports –  losing 40% of global exports is tough to stomach.  Even the combination of a poor spring run and ramping up of production at some mines is struggling to touch the loss of these 2 countries.
  • Corn prices KEEP RISING - if you have been farming for more than 24 hours, you are probably aware that as the price of grain goes up, every input's hand goes out asking for their piece of the pie.  Potash is no different.  If corn/grain values continue to hold/push higher, producers will know that farmers are going to take steps to maximize their yields.  You cannot do that with potash deficient soils.  I do not like it any more than you do but the market is the market.
  • Demand, worries about future supply concerns, could be quick to the buy trigger this summer – there is a lot of talk out there about supply availability.  We have seen more forward buying questions than I can remember.  Most of this is founded in fear of not getting what is needed when it is needed.  This fear could cause buyers to jump on any offering that is put in front of them.  If this happens and producers see it, they will have no problem stepping their price even higher than they originally expected to.
Bearish Factors
  • Demand draws a line in the sand – it does not matter where you are in the world, farmers are the same in thinking they are getting hosed right now.  Every time grain prices rise, so does fertilizer.  With current values higher than ever before, anger is higher than ever before.  That could cause buyers to sit on their hands this summer.  We could see farmers decide to skip the summer fill opportunity.  We could see farmers decide to drag their feet on fall/Q4 application period.  If the market collectively does this, it would put pressure back on the producer.
  • Producers need to put on a summer fill sales book – if I am a producer, I would be willing to give up some value/margin to make sure I have a solid sales book on.  The last thing I want to have happen is that I get too proud of myself, demand shuts down, my storage facilities get full and I have to go back to the market begging for buyers.  
  • The Ukraine invasion comes to a close - today, it doesn't seem like a likely scenario.  However, it is a possibility.  If we were to see a situation where Putin is removed from power, Belarus replaces its government, both nations move out of Ukraine and take steps to rectify what has been done, we could see both nations welcomed back to the international market with open arms.  That would mean 14M tons of potash becomes available almost overnight.  Again, low probability but worth keeping an eye on.
Where are the current potash/grain ratio values today?
We believe that only looking at the flat price of either grains or fertilizer can be misleading:
  • Only selling grain can hurt you if fertilizer prices rise substantially
  • Only buying fertilizer can hurt you if grain prices fall
We look at the ratio "value" to get a better indication of where we are or how many bushels of X does it take to pay for 1 ton of fertilizer.
Would you rather:
  • Spend 120 bushels to pay for 1 ton of potash
  • Spend 60 bushels to pay for 1 ton of potash
When we compare the current ratio value against recent years, we start to see if we are high or low.
YOUR VALUES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT
This graph looks at the NOLA potash price vs the flat grain price. There are no logistics on either product. Your location will look different due to fertilizer logistical costs, grain basis, etc.
image 36089
image 36090
image 36091
image 36092
image-20220503111524-1
 
Josh Linville’s Thoughts
  • Be patient but be ready - fertilizer shortages / food scarcity / food wars / etc.  All of these have suddenly become the popular fear story of the major news stations.  Sensationalism gets viewers and viewers pay the bills.  You and I already knew we were in a jacked up marketplace.  This is nothing new.  Do not get caught up in the hype.  Do not pull the trigger on something that you will not use for another 6 - 12 months unless you think it is the right call for your operation.  That said, if the opportunity is there and it is the right call for you, do not hesitate.  
  • Do not be afraid of making money - further to the above point, if you have a chance to buy your fertilizer, sell your grain and cut a check, there is NOTHING wrong with that.  Too many times, we refuse to pull the trigger on locking in values because we are afraid of what we are going to miss.  Do not let that emotion dictate to you what you should/should not do.
  • BE DAMNED CAREFUL - I know I say this all the time and you likely get sick of reading it.  We are worked to death every single season.  However, with the way this spring is playing out, you are going to be asked to do more in a shorter time frame than you have ever seen.  Planting is way behind.  Fertilizer application has struggled.  When the window is right, you have to hit it hard but make sure you are on your toes.  Your number one priority is to make it to summer safely.
 
 
  • Fertilizers

This material should be construed as the solicitation of an account, order, and/or services and represents the opinions and viewpoints of the individual authors or presenters. It does not constitute an individualized recommendation or take into account the particular trading objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual customers.


The views are current only through the date stated and are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and StoneX Group Inc. (“SGI”) disclaims any responsibility to update such views. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. Past performance does not guarantee future results.


The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided.


References to certain OTC products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets, LLC (SXM), a member of the National Futures Association (NFA) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ and who have been accepted as customers of SXM.


StoneX Financial Inc. (SFI) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Advisor. StoneX Financial (Canada) Inc. (SFCI) is registered in Canada and is a member of CIRO and CIPF. References to certain securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to certain exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI. Wealth Management is offered through SA Stone Wealth Management Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, and SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor, both wholly owned subsidiaries of SGI.

R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC (RJO) is registered with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and is a member of NFA.


StoneX Financial Ltd (SFL) is registered in England and Wales, company no. 5616586. SFL is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (registration number FRN:446717) to provide services to professional and eligible customers including: arrangement, execution and, where required, clearing derivative transactions in exchange traded futures and options. SFL is also authorized to engage in the arrangement and execution of transactions in certain OTC products, certain securities trading, precious metals trading and payment services to eligible customers. SFL is authorized and regulated by the FCA under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 for the provision of payment services. SFL is a category 1 ring-dealing member of the London Metal Exchange. In addition SFL also engages in other physically delivered commodities business and other general business activities which are unregulated and not required to be authorized by the FCA.


This communication is issued in the European Economic Area by StoneX Financial Europe GmbH (SFEG). StoneX is the trade name used by STONEX GROUP INC. and all its associated entities and subsidiaries. StoneX Financial Europe GmbH (“SFEG”) is a securities trading firm registered in Germany under Company No. HRB 80844.


StoneX Financial Pte Ltd (Co. Reg. No 201130598R) (“SFP”) is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a Capital Markets Service Licence holder (for dealing in capital market products), an Exempt Financial Adviser (for advising on investment products and issuing or promulgating analyses/ reports on investment products) and a Major Payment Institution (for domestic and cross-border money transfer services).


SFP may distribute analysis/report produced by its respective foreign affiliates within the StoneX Group of companies pursuant to an arrangement under Regulation 32C of the Financial Advisers Regulations Recipients should contact SFP at (65) 6309 1000 for any matters arising from, or in connection with, this webinar.


StoneX APAC Pte. Ltd. (“SAP”) (Co. Reg. No 200616676W) is regulated as a Dealer (PS20190001002) under the Precious Stones and Precious Metals (Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2019 for purposes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.


StoneX Financial (HK) Limited (CE No.: BCQ152) (“SHK”) is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for Dealing in Securities and Dealing in Futures Contracts.


StoneX Financial Pty Ltd (ACN 141 774 727) holds an Australian Financial Service License (AFSL: 345646) for Dealing in Securities, Exchange-Traded Derivatives Contracts, OTC Derivatives Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts, and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.


StoneX Securities Co., Ltd. (“SSJ”) (Co. Reg. No 010401047199) is regulated by the Japanese Financial Services Agency as a Type-I Financial Instruments Business Operator (Kanto Local Finance Bureau (FIBO)No.291’), is a member of the Financial Futures Association of Japan for dealing and broking FX and FX Option transactions, and is a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association for dealing and broking stock indices and option transactions.


Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance of any futures or option is not indicative of future success. Indicators are not a trading system and are not published as a specific trade recommendation. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.


The report/analysis herein is not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation.


© 2026 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Satellite view of Earth at night showing illuminated cities across Asia and the Middle East

Discover more insights

Our subscribers have access to comprehensive market analysis from StoneX spanning commodities, equities, currencies and more.

StoneX: We open markets

Our market expertise, advanced platforms, global reach, culture of full transparency and commitment to our clients’ success all set us apart in the financial marketplace.

Reach

With access to 40+ derivatives exchanges, 180+ foreign exchange markets, nearly every global securities marketplace and numerous bi-lateral liquidity venues, StoneX’s digital network and deep relationships can take clients anywhere they want to go.

Transparency

As a publicly traded company meeting the highest standards of regulatory compliance in the markets we serve; our financials and record of accomplishment are matters of public record. StoneX’s commitment to “doing the right thing over the easy thing” sets us apart in the industry and helps us build respect, client trust and new partnerships.

Expertise

From our proprietary Market Intelligence platform, to “boots on the ground” expertise from award-winning traders and professionals, we connect our clients directly to actionable insights they can use to make more informed decisions and achieve their goals in the global markets.