Canadian fertilizer company Nutrien (TSX: NTR) is picking Longview, Washington, for a potash export terminal instead of a local port comes as warning sign about Canada’s export infrastructure.
The firm is eyeing a proposed terminal to export Canadian-mined potash worth up to $1 billion and decided to put it up in the US, a decision that sidelines all Canadian West Coast ports.
This lands hard for Ottawa who has been positioning its resource sector as a strategic engine for growth, investment, and global supply chains. Potash, as a core fertilizer input, would be integral to this.
The likely candidates for local terminals were on the BC coast coast, where Nutrien could still reach Asian markets through a Pacific route.
The clearest option was the Vancouver export corridor, where potash already moves through established bulk-terminal infrastructure.
That makes Longview less about Canada lacking ports and more about whether Canadian ports could match the cost, capacity, reliability, and timing Nutrien wanted.
The Saskatoon-based producer says Longview is its preferred location because it meets its criteria for “location, logistics and capacity,” including skilled labour, construction timeline viability, rail-connected inbound and outbound logistics, project economics, customer access, deep water access and a cooperative port partner.
Structurally, the Longview project would augment, not replace, Nutrien’s existing export footprint, which routes potash from six Saskatchewan mines through terminals in North Vancouver, Saint John and Portland, Oregon.
The decision stings politically. Saskatchewan’s NDP argued Nutrien should keep the export route in Canada, noting the sector shipped nearly 23 million tonnes in 2024 and supports about 17,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to The Western Producer report.
While Nutrien believes this move may make its potash export more accessible, it shows a rare move where Canadian exports are more viable if shipped outside the country, putting the company’s export structure in spotlight.
Information for this story was found via The Globe And Mail, The Western Producer, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
8 Responses
These think tank mouthpieces sure love to cry and point fingers.
Canada’s west coast ports are running at or near capacity. Nutrien mines 30% of the global potash here, and spends enough on rail freight to keep CN swimming in money. That isn’t enough? The government is a failure because they didn’t meet their port specs? They can’t move the potash mines.
Not surprised. Eby wants business money but gets all puckered up if he has to do anything for it – Carney is just Trudeau without arrested development at fourteen years old.
True.
I wonder if Nutrient has thought through all of the potential problems that may result from moving commodities needlessly through another country when exporting. Many companies have experienced nasty surprises from an irrational American administration that rules by whim, and moving Canadian produced commodities through an American port may not be viewed positively by the Trump government or future administrations. For Canadian customers and other stakeholders Nutrient hasn’t likely improved their image either.
Great point. All that has to happen is someone tells him that they mine it in Canada. Next thing you know: “Nutrien mines the fertilizer in Canada, then ships it through OUR ports! They’re ripping us off, OK?”
The article says Portland’s port is already shipping Nutrien’s potash.
Total failure for BC and Canada.
“Total failure!”
Pack ‘er in boys. They’re shipping the fertilizer out of Portland, nothing we can do.