By Blake Jackson
Potash, a key mineral fertilizer for crops like corn and soybeans, is essential for Missouri’s farmers. Found deep underground, it provides potassium, a vital nutrient for plant growth, disease resistance, and water retention.
Most of the potash used in the U.S. comes from Canada, but recent tariff threats by the White House could impact prices. A new 10% tariff targets non-USMCA-compliant Canadian potash, though compliant potash remains exempt.
“Canada is, by far and away, a predominant source of potash, because they have those mineral reserves within their country,” said Ben Brown, a University of Missouri agricultural economist. “All that does is reduce the dependence of U.S. producers using that product because it makes it more expensive, and so, in some ways, you could actually threaten food security."
“There's a lot of potassium or potash that's removed whenever we harvest our forage crops, and so if we keep removing that and don't supply it back into the soil, we can reduce our yields,” said Wayne Flanary, an agronomist with the University of Missouri Extension. “That's why this nutrient is important for the American farmer.”
“I think the general public probably doesn't have a grasp for the number of tons of product that we require,” said Bryant Kagay, a Missouri farmer. “When it comes to potash, I'm buying six or seven semi trailer loads a year. You know, it comes out to, like, 125-150 tons.”
Although current policy exempts most Canadian potash, Kagay worries about future price swings. He believes tariffs should target true competitors, not reliable trade partners like Canada.
Transportation costs also affect potash prices. Brown noted that lower oil prices might offset rising tariffs, creating a balance in cost for farmers.
Even with some local storage, long-term supply depends on steady imports. Kagay said, “There’s no alternative, and we need a lot of it.”
With unpredictable policy changes, farmers remain concerned about access to this essential fertilizer.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Soybeans