Saskatchewan’s premier did not mince words in his response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s purported plan to shift potash purchases from Canada to Belarus. In a post to social media on Monday, Moe pointed to the widespread sanctions against Belarus due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as one of several issues with the plan. “Buying blood potash from Belarus is supporting Russian aggression,” Moe wrote plainly. “It’s wrong and it doesn’t make sense.” The premier went on to cast doubt on Trump’s claims that the Belarusian potash, which would need to be shipped through Russia, would be more affordable than potash sourced from Saskatchewan. “Does anyone believe Belarusian blood potash shipped through Russia is going to be more affordable, more sustainable or more ethical than potash shipped from Saskatchewan — right here in North America?” Moe wrote. Canada is the leading exporter of potash, reportedly shipping around 22.9 million tonnes in 2024. Around 85 per cent of the potash imported into the United States comes from Canada. Pam Schwann, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, underlined the importance of potash to both Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s economy. “We produce 100 per cent of Canada’s potash, and that’s about just over 33 per cent of the world’s potash, it’s an extremely important part of Saskatchewan’s economy,” she told CTV News. “We have 12 producing mines right now. They produce just over 24 million tons of potash that is exported around the world.” While Canada does not use much potash, as it’s soils are not depleted in potassium, the vast majority is exported to the U.S. and customers overseas including Brazil, Indonesia, China, and India. Schwann added the U.S. will not be able to switch potash suppliers quickly. “You can’t just turn on a switch and produce potash. They require a significant amount of capital and investment. You know, a single 2 million ton-a-year potash mine, a new one would cost you over $4 billion,” she explained. “Belarus production is already accounted for and contracted out, and so they would need to have additional capacity come online or change their market right now. Most of the potash that’s produced in Belarus goes to China right now, and so it would be a question of, would they no longer be exporting to China? And what type of market does that open up? But that’s a lot of speculation.” With files from Karla Thompson
