Nutrien reviewing strategic alternatives for phosphate business, including sale

Agricultural product provider Nutrien Ltd. says it’s undertaking a strategic review of its phosphate business.

That could result a reconfiguring of operations, strategic partnerships or a sale.

The Saskatoon-based company says it intends to “solidify the optimal path” for the division next year.

Nutrien is the second-largest producer of phosphate in North America, with two mines and four upgrade facilities in the United States.

The chemical can be used in fertilizers, animal feeds and various industrial applications.

Nutrien said in its third-quarter financial report that phosphate markets are tight because of limited supply, including from Chinese export restrictions.

“Global shipments in 2025 have been constrained by supply availability and weaker affordability for phosphate fertilizer has impacted demand,” Nutrien said in a Wednesday news release.

Nutrien posted net earnings of US$469 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, up from US$25 million a year earlier.

Diluted net earnings per share were 96 cents US compared to four cents US per share in the prior year’s quarter.

Sales were US$6 billion versus US$5.35 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Net sales in the phosphate division rose 20 per cent to US$495 million during the third quarter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025.