The World

This potash mine rises like a pink mine from the surrounding prairie. This mine is operating at peak capacity and it’s not enough: world demand has outpaced supply. Expansion is being planned to double production. Potash comes from an ancient seabed which is then crushed and shipped out by truck. Potash provides potassium, one of the key nutrients plants need to grow and thrive. In the past two years, demand for fertilizer has doubled. This potash business leader says potash companies were caught by surprise. There are several reasons behind the boom: a growing middle class in China and India and Brazil means a growing appetite for grain-fed meat, which then requires more fertilizer. This specialist sees no short term relief on the price for potash. The high cost of potash is a boon for companies in potash in Canada.

Are you with The World?

The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.